Biosensors

And how they are changing the world

What are they?

A device that utilizes biological components to indicate the amount of a biomaterial

Breakdown of Components.

Bioreceptor- detects analyte Transducer- converts into readable form Reader Device- displays information

Biosensors in the Future What should a biosensor be?

Portable, easy to use, small Easy to be manufactured in mass

quantities Low cost, affordable Rapid results Satisfy a large market

Military Use

The military has funded research into biosensors

Mine sensing bacteria Monitoring gasses on the battlefield Detecting air-borne pathogens To counter Bio-terrorism

Agriculture

Detecting heavy metal ions, arsenic, ammonia in water sources

Brazilian researchers developing a pesticide detector

Medical

Detecting bladder cancer and lyme disease

“Artificial Skin” using flexible biosensors that can aid in prosthetics

Glucose and Pregnancy Tests Cholesterol Test was a failure

Design Project

Factor VIII producing E. coli

What is Hemophilia A

Hemophilia affects the ability of the body to control blood clotting or coagulation

Hemophilia A is a genetic blood disorder that is caused by a Factor VIII deficiency

Hemophilia affects more than 17,000 people in the United States

Current Treatment Options

Replacement therapy Desmopressin Antifibrinolytic Medicine

Proposal

Using E. coli, create a topical creme containing bacteria engineered to

produce clotting factor VIII in order to help close external wounds for people

with Hemophilia A

LuxS

ABC Transporter

Al-2

ATP

ADP

LsrR

LsrRPP

Factor VIII

ATPADP

Factor VIII molecules

Export

ATP ADP

LuxS Porcine Coagulation Factor VIII

LSR Transport Cassette

Fibrin

Advantages

Low Risk, using Pig Factor VIII No chance of blood-transmitted disease Works even with antibodies and inhibitors Site Specific No Injection required

Improvements

Kill Switch Does not solve internal bleeding Separate design needed for Hemophilia B