SBIR-STTR Award

The objectives of Phase I are twofold: demonstrate the feasibility of bioluminescent testing for detection of toxic compounds, and develop an inexpensive photo-diode based light detection system for field measurement of low level bioluminescence. This unique test will utilize dark strains of e. Coli containing loned lux genes from the luminous bacterium photobacterium leiognathi to detect carcinogens. These genes have been isolated, cloned into, and expressed in E. COLI, and are known to respond to numerous carcinogens with an emission intensity which is proportional to the carcinogen concentration. The gene response is rapid (minutes) and sensitive (PPB range); and the materials are inexpensive and inert. Phase I will focus on defining and optimizing the system for detection of several specific groups of carcinogens. The anticipated benefits of biosensor detection of toxic compounds (carcinogens, metals, specific organic compounds, etc.) include in-situ hazardous waste identification, leak detection, water testing, toxicity screening, security screening, etc., this biological system, because of its inherent sensitivity, is uniquely suited for the detection low levels of toxic compounds; emitting easily measurable levels of visible light producing a responsive, inexpensive, and user-friendly detection system

The detection of hazardous materials in the environment is an area of utmost concern in both private and government sectors. Bio-Photonics successfully demonstrated in Phase I that real time detection of trace toxins is possible, utilizing the inherent sensitivity of biological systems to low concentrations of specific chemical species, and the ability of biological systems to emit light. In Phase II, Bio-Photonics will develop the carcinogen detector, proven feasible in Phase I, into a marketable sensor system. Marketable prototypes for the two types of light detection systems developed during Phase I will also be completed in Phase II. In addition, Bio-Photonics proposes to develop chemical specific biosensors for the detection of mercury, lead, chromium, phenol, benzene, and PCB's, using recombinant DNA techniques. A new technique using a promoter cloning cassette, in a plasmid vector, will be constructed in Phase II. This technique will allow for easy and selective cloning of regulatory promoter genes in a single-step, eliminating the need for identification and characterization of the regulatory genes in the operon.