Fast, Multiplexed, and Autonomous Bioelectronic Sensors Based on Engineered Exoelectrogens
Abstract
Creating miniature bioelectronic systems that sense and respond to chemicals would give unprecedented ability to detect and respond to environmental and security threats. While a variety of technologies serve as field-deployable, fast, or highly sensitive sensors, no existing technology combines the required speed, selectivity, chemical versatility, and compatibility needed for maritime deployment. Thus, our overall research goal is to create robust, whole cell bioelectronic devices that autonomously perform multiplexed detection of chemicals in real-time in marine environments.To achieve this goal, we will combine synthetic biology and materials engineering in undertaking three objectives: (1) engineering proteins in electron transfer pathways as multiplexed, fast sensors, (2) developing salt-tolerant bacterial chassis for electron transfer pathways, and (3) integrating these bacterial chassis into autonomous, robust bioelectronic devices. This work will create a device with novel features that go beyond the current state-of-art: fast sensing on the second timescale, multiplexed sensing that uses different redox channels, ability to work in a marine environment, and fully autonomous operation. Taken together, this work will prototype an autonomous device that perform multiplexed sensing in marine ecosystems, opening a broad range of environmental sensing applications relevant to DoD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 17, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142012274
Entities
People
- Caroline M Ajo-Franklin
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Rice University
- United States Navy