Brown University’s Team Resistance aims to create a Biosensor that utilizes a novel method to detect the presence of a toxin in a solution of bacteria. A gene cassette coding for cell lysis in E. Coli will be placed under the control of an inducible promoter such as a pBAD promoter. Once cell lysis has occurred, the charged intracellular contents of the cells will become part of the extra-cellular solution thus decreasing the solution’s resistance and indicating the presence of a toxin or other inducer.
Strategy
Guidelines for an ideal biosensor:
Biological
Uses minimal biological machinery
Direct induction of system by inducer creates a sensitive system
Versatile construct can measure different substances/toxins, i.e. arabinose (proof of concept), lead, mercury, arsenic
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