Descrizione del progetto
Biosensori per la sicurezza alimentare
La determinazione del contenuto di istamina è di fondamentale importanza per l’industria alimentare in quanto agisce come parametro della qualità igienica e della freschezza degli alimenti, nonché al fine di prevenire le intossicazioni alimentari di tipo allergico. Per individuare precocemente prodotti e materie prime potenzialmente pericolosi per i consumatori, sono necessari ulteriori metodi sensibili e intuitivi per il monitoraggio dell’istamina. A tal fine, verrà utilizzata una potente e innovativa strategia di ingegneria semi-razionale delle proteine per massimizzare la sensibilità del biosensore per l’istamina basato su enzimi attualmente disponibile. L’enzima istamina deidrogenasi (HADH, histamine dehydrogenase) è caratterizzato dalla migliore specificità del substrato verso l’istamina e, avvalendosi delle informazioni strutturali disponibili congiuntamente con avanzati strumenti di modellizzazione computazionale, BIOIMPROVE si propone di sviluppare un dispositivo portatile di biorilevamento migliorato e altamente sensibile, volto a quantificare l’istamina ai più bassi intervalli di concentrazione.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsbiosensors
- engineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybiosensing
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technologyfood safety
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinatore
48170 Zamudio
Spagna
L’organizzazione si è definita una PMI (piccola e media impresa) al momento della firma dell’accordo di sovvenzione.