Optical Sensing Based on Inducible Bacterial Luminescence

肯塔基大学的Sylvia Daunert教授在分析和表面化学项目的支持下，开始了基因工程细菌的开发，然后将其用于用于环境分析问题的光学传感系统。细菌含有报告基因，当暴露于目标分析物时提供特定波长的光发射。开发了一个内部背景校正系统，允许扩展光谱方法以实现低水平的检测。基于细菌的传感器的安排探索多分析物传感在流动和静态溶液。细菌基因经过修饰，当暴露于痕量的目标化合物时，它们会发光。例如，通过插入包含所设计的细菌系统的传感器来分析水样。易于测量的光输出提供了分析物浓度的快速指示。肯塔基大学的Sylvia Daunert教授将研究如何修改细菌，使其包含发光基因，以及如何将其整合到传感器中。

This project of Professor Sylvia Daunert at the University of Kentucky, supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, begins with development of genetically engineered bacteria that are then used in optical sensing systems applied to problems in environmental analysis. The bacteria contain reporter genes that provide light emission of specific wavelength when exposed to the targeted analyte. An internal background correction system is developed that allows extension of the spectroscopic method to achieve low levels of detection. Arrangements of bacteria-based sensors are explored for multianalyte sensing in flow streams and in static solutions.Bacterial genes are modified such that they give off light (luminesce) when exposed to trace levels of targeted compounds. For example, a water sample is analyzed by insertion of a sensor that contains the designed bacterial system. The easily measured light output provides a rapid indication of the concentration of analyte. Professor Sylvia Daunert at the University of Kentucky will study how to modify the bacteria so that they contain the luminescent genes, and how to incorporate them into sensors.