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QLK3-2001-01629
Assembly and application of Photosystem II-based biosensors for large scale environmental screening of specific herbicides and heavy metals (BEEP)
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| Type of Project |
Research project |
| Contract No |
QLK3-2001-01629 |
| Total Cost |
|
| EC Contribution |
1 ,195, 488 EUR |
| Start Date |
01-10-2001 |
| Duration |
36 months |
Abstract
This project brings together a multidisciplinary team to build Photosystem II-based
biosensors that can distinguish specific subclasses of pollutants for environmental monitoring.
The team will apply biochemical and molecular biology tools in combination with advanced
electronics.
Objectives
The objective of BEEP is the development of biosensors based on Photosystem II (PSII)
complex isolated from photosynthetic organisms to monitor levels of chemical pollutants. This
should lead to a low cost apparatus able to reveal specific herbicides and/or heavy metals present
in industrial and urban effluents, sewage sludge, landfill leak-water, and ground- and irrigation water.
Biosensors that respond to a range of pollutants can be used for rapid, low cost, pre-screenings to
select samples that need to undergo further analysis and they should avoid the use of large quantities
of organic solvents for herbicide extraction as well as the need for expensive analytical equipment.
This technique should aid compliance with the European Act concerning concentrations of herbicides
in water sources and soils.
Activities
BEEP is structured in 5 workpackages to manage the biosensor production process;
- WP1 involves the screening of a large number of photosynthetic organisms
and the use of genetic engineering to obtain mutants for the production of thermostable PSII
biomediators with increased selectivity to various subclasses of herbicides and heavy metals.
Moreover, WP1 utilises a molecular approach to the realisation of alternative biosensors based
on the QB binding site and herbicide competition to bind overproduced D1 in Escherichia coli.
- WP2 is focused to the development of procedures for the extraction and immobilisation
of biomediators from distinct and selected organisms. WP2 also includes the characterisation of
selectivity to various heavy metals and herbicide subclasses.
- WP3 encompasses the development of new and sophisticated transduction systems
based on fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection, amperometric-printed electrodes and
alternative systems (optical absorbance of chromophore-quinone).
- WP4 involves the assembly of biomediators with transducers into portable prototypes
able to process the response deriving from the mutated PSII complexes.
- WP5 deals with the field application of biosensors to monitor herbicide and heavy metals.
The evaluation of environmental impact (EIA) and the analysis of pollution levels in distinct sites will
be completed in WP5. The biosensors will be tested in a mobile unit (fully equipped van for
environmental analyses). The project also includes feasibility studies for biosensor commercialisation
in close collaboration with industrial partners.
Deliverables
- Progress reports
- First cell collection of selected mutants of Chlamydomonas reinardtii 4
- Cell collection of selected mutants of Synechococcus elongatus
- Collection of psbA genes from mutants and Medicago sativa overproduced
into E.coli.
- Collection of psbA genes from Chlamydomonas reinardtii
- A set of extracted PSII membranes every month
- Films with high and specific sensitivity to herbicides and heavy metals under investigation
- Sensors using amperometric, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, alternative detection systems
- Handy portable biosensors for field analyses
- Stand of biosensors
Contacts
Coordinator
Part
Participant
