New biosensor for detection of copper ions in water based on immobilized genetically modified yeast cells

0520815 - MBÚ 2020 NL eng J - Journal Article
Vopálenská, I. - Váchová, Libuše - Palková, Z.
New biosensor for detection of copper ions in water based on immobilized genetically modified yeast cells.
Biosensors and Bioelectronics. Roč. 72, OCT15 (2015), s. 160-167. ISSN 0956-5663. E-ISSN 1873-4235
R&D Projects: GA TA ČR(CZ) TA01011461; GA MŠMT(CZ) ED1.1.00/02.0109; GA MŠMT(CZ) EE2.3.30.0003
Institutional support: RVO:61388971
Keywords : Yeast biosensor * Copper ion detection * Purine synthesis pathway
OECD category: Microbiology
Impact factor: 7.476, year: 2015
Method of publishing: Open access
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956566315301032?via%3Dihub

Contamination of water by heavy metals represents a potential risk for both aquatic and terrestrial organisms, including humans. Heavy metals in water resources can come from various industrial activities, and drinking water can be ex-post contaminated by heavy metals such as Cu2+ from house fittings (e.g., water reservoirs) and pipes. Here, we present a new copper biosensor capable of detecting copper ions at concentrations of 1-100 mu M. This biosensor is based on cells of a specifically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain immobilized in alginate beads. Depending on the concentration of copper, the biosensor beads change color from white, when copper is present in concentrations below the detection limit, to pink or red based on the increase in copper concentration. The biosensor was successfully tested in the determination of copper concentrations in real samples of water contaminated with copper ions. In contrast to analytical methods or other biosensors based on fluorescent proteins, the newly designed biosensor does not require specific equipment and allows the quick detection of copper in many parallel samples. (
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0305489