Toxicity Testing in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Application of a Short-Term Assay Based on Induction of the Lac Operon in E. Coli

由于对化学品的需求不断增加，工业化世界面临着这些往往有毒的物质在环境中释放的问题。因此，有必要评估这些毒物对环境的影响。本研究项目的主要目的是建立一种酶毒性检测方法。以β-半乳糖苷酶在大肠杆菌中的活性为毒性检测机制。将使用包括无机和有机物质在内的各种毒物进行研究。毒性测试将进一步研究，以更好地了解毒物对异丙基硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)等无偿诱导剂诱导酶的影响。还将考虑开发微型测试和使用固定化E.Coli细胞。将探索使大肠杆菌细胞对环境毒物敏感的各种方法。首席调查员非常有资格进行这项研究。建议提供为期两年的持续资助。第一年的奖金为90,198美元。

As a result of increasing demand for chemicals, the industrialized world faces the problem of release of these often toxic substances in the environment. There is therefore a need to assess the impacts of these toxicants on the environment. The major objective of this research project is to develop an enzymatic toxicity testing method. The enzymatic activity of betagalactosidase in E. Coli will be used as the toxicity testing mechanism. Various toxicants including inorganic and organic substances will be used for study. The toxicity assay will be further studied to better understand the effects of toxicants on enzyme induction by a gratuitous inducer such as isopropylthiogalactoside (IPTG). The development of a miniaturized test and the use of immobilized E. Coli cells will also be considered. Various means to: sensitize E. Coli cells to environmental toxicants will be explored. The principal investigator is highly qualified to perform this research. A two year continuing grant is recommended. This award is for $90,198 for the first year.