Superfund Research Program
Sensing Superfund Chemicals with Recombinant Systems
Project Leaders: Sylvia Daunert (University of Miami), Sylvia Daunert (University of Miami)
Co-Investigators: Leonidas G. Bachas (University of Miami), Leonidas G. Bachas (University of Miami)
Grant Number: P42ES007380
Funding Period: 1997-2014
Project-Specific Links
Final Progress Reports
PublicationsConnect with the Grant Recipients
Final Progress Reports
During the present funding period, researchers concentrated on designing and developing sensing systems for chlorocatechols by employing recombinant bacteria along with the reporter enzyme -galactosidase. The use of other reporter proteins that can be detected by employing fluorescence, bioluminescence, and electrochemistry has also been evaluated. This should add versatility to the field studies using our sensing systems. In addition, mammalian and yeast cells have been employed to develop sensing systems for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and halogenated hydrocarbons, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Different cells systems have been employed to combine selectivity, sensitivity, and ruggedness to the sensors. Preliminary soil studies on adsorption isotherms have also been performed during this time. The research team has also worked in the development of highly sensitive and selective sensing systems for antimonite and arsenite, L-arabinose, copper, and 3-chlorocatechols. These sensing systems coupled the selectivity that is a characteristic of protein recognition to the expression of reporter genes such as -galactosidase, bacterial luciferase, green fluorescent protein, and uroporphyrinogen III methyltransferase. The activities of these reporter enzymes/proteins have been monitored either electrochemically or optically (fluorescence, chemi/bioluminescence).