E. coli Turned into Mercury Sensor
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Context: Researchers have engineered E. coli bacteria into a mercury sensor, capable of detecting toxic metals in water.
About E. coli Turned into Mercury Sensor:
• What it is?
• A living biosensor built using genetically modified Escherichia coli bacteria. Converts the presence of mercury into an electrical signal readable by simple electronic devices.
• A living biosensor built using genetically modified Escherichia coli bacteria.
• Converts the presence of mercury into an electrical signal readable by simple electronic devices.
• Developed by: Imperial College London and Zhejiang University researchers.
• To design cheap, self-powered, and programmable biosensors. Enable real-time detection of harmful compounds like heavy metals in water.
• To design cheap, self-powered, and programmable biosensors.
• Enable real-time detection of harmful compounds like heavy metals in water.
• How It Works?
• Scientists engineer E. coli bacteria to act like tiny “detectors.” When the bacteria sense mercury in water, a special protein (MerR) switches on. This switch tells the bacteria to make certain molecules (phenazines). These molecules touch an electrode and create an electric current. The stronger the mercury presence → the stronger the current. The signal can be read directly by simple electronic devices.
• Scientists engineer E. coli bacteria to act like tiny “detectors.”
• When the bacteria sense mercury in water, a special protein (MerR) switches on.
• This switch tells the bacteria to make certain molecules (phenazines).
• These molecules touch an electrode and create an electric current.
• The stronger the mercury presence → the stronger the current.
• The signal can be read directly by simple electronic devices.
• Applications:
• Water Safety: Detects toxic heavy metals like mercury in drinking water. Environmental Monitoring: Tracks pollution in rivers, lakes, and industrial discharge. Public Health: Early warning system for communities exposed to contaminated water. Low-cost Electronics: Compatible with portable devices for field use. Synthetic Biology Research: Opens pathways for programmable bioelectronics and smart diagnostics.
• Water Safety: Detects toxic heavy metals like mercury in drinking water.
• Environmental Monitoring: Tracks pollution in rivers, lakes, and industrial discharge.
• Public Health: Early warning system for communities exposed to contaminated water.
• Low-cost Electronics: Compatible with portable devices for field use.
• Synthetic Biology Research: Opens pathways for programmable bioelectronics and smart diagnostics.