Difference between revisions of "Team:Bielefeld-CeBiTec/Overview"
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Revision as of 18:31, 16 September 2015
Cell-free Sticks
It works on paper!
Abstract
- We developed cell-free biosensors which can be used as paper-based test strips. These offer significant advantages over conventional biosensors regarding biosafety, sensitivity and output signal. We created two technical approaches built upon self-made E.coli cell extract and our newly established Plasmid Repressor Interaction Assay (PRIA). Both can be immobilized on paper. We developed an app that enables the detection of the fluorescence signal via smartphone. With these novel biosensor designs we tackle the problem of date rape drug intoxications, which is of increasing relevance in our area, by detecting a common ingredient. Another major problem is the contamination of water with heavy metals. Heavy metal sensors designed by previous iGEM teams as well as new biosensors are combined to a modular cell-free test strip for simultaneous detection. All in all, we are providing an extensible biosensor on paper as a valuable tool for water quality analysis for everyone.
Biosensors In our project we designed two different biosensors, one to detect heavy metals, which are still a major problem all over the world, the other to detect residues of date rape drugs, which is a relevant topic in our area. These sensors are based on a simple concept, detection is carried out by fluorescence.
PRIA The Plasmid Repressor Interaction Assay works on the principle of a repressor binding to DNA and releasing it after a conformation change through interaction with analyte which results in a loss of fluorescence.
CFPS The Cell Free Protein Synthesis is based on a self-made crude cell extract from disrupted E.coli cells. We add sensor specific plasmids. A reporter protein is synthesized and its detection is based on fluorescence analysis.
Final Application Fluorescence analysis outside the lab sounds complicated, but it is not. We designed an easy method for detecting it using two filters, a “black box” and a smartphone App for interpretation.