Project description DEENESFRITPL A better biosensor to monitor herbicide residues Herbicides have been used extensively since the 1950s. But these chemical weed killers have long-lasting activity in the soil and residues seep into our ecosystems, drinking water and food. Current monitoring methods are expensive and time-consuming, requiring special techniques and training. In this context, the EU-funded B-FHAB project will develop a biosensor that makes rapid, low-cost, sensitive herbicide detection widely accessible. Through a redox polymer transduction matrix, biosensors will be improved. The overall aim is to broaden the scope of sensing beyond a small class of residues. Also, the approach lays the groundwork for a modular biosensing platform that can be expanded beyond herbicides, to include biomarkers for monitoring health and detecting disease. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective The introduction of agrochemicals has drastically improved crop yields, largely thanks to the use of herbicides that kill crop competing weeds. Unfortunately, herbicides residues often find their way into our ecosystems, drinking water and food. Current means to monitor herbicide residues utilize expensive, time-consuming methodologies such as liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy, a technique typically restricted to First world countries and trained users. A biosensor provides a means for rapid, low-cost, sensitive herbicide detection that is widely accessible even in developing countries. I have previously evaluated a biosensing platform using an electrode coated with bacterial reaction centres, but found that it was not sensitive enough to meet EU drinking water standards, was limited to sensing a small class of herbicide residues and was not stable enough under storage for widespread distribution. To tackle the issue of low stability, I implemented a redox polymer transduction matrix, resulting in biosensor stability for hours during operation and months in storage. I then approached the most challenging aspect of boosting biosensor sensitivity by re-designing the biological recognition element itself, using docking simulations to guide enzyme design that resulted in validated improvements in biosensor sensitivity in the lab. This forms the platform for my research within the MSCA Postdoctoral fellowship, wherein I seek to push enzyme-herbicide binding affinities to reach a biosensor sensitivity that meets EU standards, expand the scope of sensing beyond a small class of residues, and sense not just single but multiple herbicide residues on a single test strip. The results of this work will lead to a herbicide biosensor that approaches market viability, and lays the groundwork for a modular biosensing platform that can be extended beyond herbicides, to include biomarkers for monitoring health and detecting disease. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsbiosensorsengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processesengineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybiosensingnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbotany Keywords Computer-aided rational design of enzymes Programme(s) HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme Topic(s) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01-01 - MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 Call for proposal HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships Coordinator TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN Net EU contribution € 173 847,36 Address Arcisstrasse 21 80333 Muenchen Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data Partners (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI ROMA TRE Italy Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address VIA OSTIENSE 133 00154 Roma See on map Region Centro (IT) Lazio Roma Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address BEACON HOUSE QUEENS ROAD BS8 1QU Bristol See on map Region South West (England) Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area Bristol, City of Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data
