Descripción del proyecto
Biosensores en pro de la seguridad alimentaria
Para la industria alimentaria, la determinación del contenido de histamina es de vital importancia como parámetro de la calidad higiénica y la frescura de los alimentos, así como para prevenir una intoxicación alimentaria de tipo alérgico. Se necesitan métodos más sensibles y fáciles de usar para el control de la histamina a fin de detectar a tiempo los productos y materias primas susceptibles de convertirse en peligrosos para los consumidores. Para alcanzar este objetivo, se utilizará una estrategia innovadora y potente de ingeniería de proteínas semirracional que maximice la sensibilidad de los biosensores actualmente disponibles basados en enzimas. La enzima histamina deshidrogenasa (HDH) tiene la más excelente especificidad de sustrato hacia la histamina y, mediante el uso de la información estructural disponible conjuntamente con herramientas de modelización informática avanzadas, BIOIMPROVE tiene como objetivo desarrollar un biosensor portátil mejorado y altamente sensible para la cuantificación de la histamina en el rango de concentración más bajo.
Objetivo
Determination of the histamine content is of paramount importance for the food industry as a parameter of the hygienic quality and freshness of food, as well as to prevent scombroid fish poisoning, an allergy-like food poisoning. At present, more sensitive and user-friendly methods for histamine monitoring are needed to early detect products and raw materials susceptible of becoming hazardous for consumers. BIOIMPROVE aims to develop an improved and highly sensitive portable biosensing device for the quantification of histamine in the lower concentration range (<5 mg/l). To reach this objective, an innovative and powerful semi-rational protein engineering strategy will be used to maximize the sensitivity of the currently available histamine enzyme-based biosensor. Rather than addressing this goal by the generation and screening of large libraries, a careful selection of the most promising mutational hotspots will be performed using the structural available information in tandem with advanced computational modelling tools. Dr. Gangoiti will carry out BIOIMPROVE project at BIOLAN Microbiosensores, a Spanish SME focused on the development of biosensors capable of detecting health and food-related molecules. To support her research, she will conduct a secondment at CIC bioGUNE, a research centre that has a strong reputation in protein computational design. Thanks to this multidisciplinary research environment, Dr. Gangoiti will have the opportunity of gaining not only a high level of complementary expertise in areas of key importance in the enzyme technology field, but also the competences required for pursuing a successful research career either in industry or academy. Most importantly, the implementation of BIOIMPROVE project is expected to ensure histamine contamination to be identified at all stages of the food chain, ultimately guaranteeing food safety for European consumers.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsbiosensors
- engineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybiosensing
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technologyfood safety
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinador
48170 Zamudio
España
Organización definida por ella misma como pequeña y mediana empresa (pyme) en el momento de la firma del acuerdo de subvención.