A Synthetic Biology Approach to the Design and Construction of a Self-Powered Environmental Pollutions Sensor

Ramsay, S. and Trybiło, M. (2008) A Synthetic Biology Approach to the Design and Construction of a Self-Powered Environmental Pollutions Sensor. BioSysBio 2008, London, UK, 21 Apr 2008.

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

In the summer of 2007, University of Glasgow joined other top 53 universities to compete in the MIT's prestigious International Genetically Engineered Competition (iGEM) in an emerging field of Synthetic Biology. The Glasgow iGEM team designed and developed a completely novel type of self-powering electrochemical biosensor, called ElectrEcoBlu. Its novelty lies in combining the production of an environmental biosensor for economically important industrial environmental pollutants with a microbial fuel cell which can generate its own electricity. The system can be potentially used for self-powered long-term in situ and online monitoring with an electrical readout, which provides a practically appealing solution of detecting chemical pollution. Our approach exploited a range of state-of-the art modelling techniques to support the design and construction of this novel synthetic biological system and the study of the positive feedback loop variant. This work shows that integrating engineering techniques with scientific methodologies can allow us to gain new insights into genetic regulation and should become the reference framework for the development of biochemical systems in synthetic biology.

Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item
Status:Published
Refereed:No
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ramsay, Dr Scott
Authors: Ramsay, S., and Trybiło, M.
Subjects:Q Science > QA Mathematics
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH426 Genetics
T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
University Services > Student and Academic Services > Academic Services

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record