Development biosensor for the detection of progesterone hormone as emerging contaminant in water

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The proposed project aims to develop a fluorescent optical biosensor for the detection of hormones in water. The biosensors developed in this project will be simple to use, portable and low-cost with superior sensitivity and specificity. The project involves the development of highly DNA-based capturing molecules targeting the hormone; followed by conjugation with fluorescent labelling moieties (fluorescent molecule and quencher) at both termini of the DNA. Characteristic fluorescent signal will be emitted upon the specific capturing of the targeted hormones by the labelled DNA. The signal is proportional to the concentration of the hormone in the water sample, thereby providing a quantitative detection. The technology generated in this project will be transferred to our industrial partner Lab-Bell and will be further developed into promising diagnostic tools for use in environmental pollution monitoring and water industry.