Bioluminescent Bioreporters for the Detection and Monitoring of Microbial Volatile Organic Contaminants (MVOCs) (contact Steve Ripp)
Microbial contaminants in enclosed spaces have received considerable attention because of their association with “sick building syndrome” epidemics. The dissemination of fungal and bacterial spores through ventilation systems in residential and commercial buildings can trigger the onset of allergy-related symptoms. Additionally, microbes can have biocorrosive effects on the building itself by affecting stainless steel, copper, aluminum, concrete, glass, and a variety of other commercial products. Currently, the most frequently cited possibility for the detection of microbial contamination is to use microbially-generated volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) as symptoms of contamination. MVOCs are produced as a metabolic by-product of bacteria and fungi and are detectable before any visible signs of microbial growth appear. MVOCs can therefore serve as early indicators of potential biocontamination problems. Using MVOC analysis, it is also possible to identify specific microorganisms comprising a biomass, determine exposure to and assess potential toxicity from individual MVOC chemicals, and predict the metabolic production of certain mycotoxins. Current detection methods rely on cumbersome and expensive gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. As an alternative, we developed a proof-of-concept whole cell bioluminescent bioreporter for the detection and monitoring of the MVOC p-cymene. Bioluminescent bioreporters generate visible light in response to specific chemical or physical agents in their environment. The light response occurs because of the transcriptional activation of a genetically incorporated lux cassette. Because the bioluminescent response is strictly intrinsic to the bioreporter, monitoring is performed autonomously with no user intervention required. The use of these bioreporters will allow rapid and early sentinel detection of biological agents, which will in turn accelerate response time for protective measures.

Bioluminescent Bioreporter Integrated Circuits for Monitoring Spacecraft Environments (contact Gary Sayler)
 We are developing microelectronic-based, whole-cell, bioluminescent biosensors for the detection and quantification of a number of compounds that threaten crew safety on future manned space missions. These devices are composed of genetically engineered bioluminescent bacteria deposited on a specially designed integrated circuit to form low-mass, low-power, very specific chemical sensing elements. This technology offers many advantages over conventional chemical species detection/identification methods, including no requirement for optical excitation or focusing elements, direct compatibility with any local area network communications protocol, low-power operation, and a common sensor platform that minimizes the number of required spares.

Construction of a Genetically Modified Biosensor to Monitor Nitrite Toxicity in Biological Wastewater Treatment Plants (contact Steve Ripp)
Nitrite is a highly toxic compound not only for bacteria but also for fish, benthic fauna, plants, bacterioplankton, and methanogens. High nitrite concentration levels inhibit anoxic phosphate uptake completely, and aerobic phosphate uptake severely. Because inhibition of nitrification by nitrite and other toxicants causes serious problems for the effective treatment of wastewater, a rapid and sensitive method that can detect the toxicity of nitrite is expected to be useful in monitoring the nitrification process in wastewater treatment plants. We propose to develop a bioluminescent bioreporter for measurement of nitrite toxicity and apply it as a simple and rapid sensor for online wastewater analysis.


The University Linkage Project between the University of Tennessee and Ain Shams University, Egypt (contact Tanya Kuritz)
      The University Linkage Project between the University of Tennessee and Ain Shams University, Egypt is aimed at the characterization of diversity of cyanobacteria in the Lake Qaroun and is exploring their ability to degrade pesticides, especially lindane, which are pollutants in the Lake and pose hazard to human health and environment. We are planning to develop a value-added system for the remediation of the Lake Qaroun with subsequent utilization of cyanobcterial biomass. Linkage Project Website

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The Center for Environmental Biotechnology
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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