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

该项目旨在开发一种荧光光学生物传感器，用于检测水中的激素。本项目开发的生物传感器具有使用简单、便携、成本低、灵敏度高、特异性强等特点。该项目涉及开发针对激素的高度基于dna的捕获分子；然后与DNA两端的荧光标记部分（荧光分子和猝灭剂）偶联。当被标记的DNA特异性捕获目标激素时，将发出特征荧光信号。信号与水样中激素的浓度成正比，从而提供定量检测。该项目产生的技术将转移到我们的工业合作伙伴贝尔实验室，并将进一步发展为有前途的诊断工具，用于环境污染监测和水务行业。

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.