This Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) project, supported in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, focusses on the development of highly selective and sensitive fiber optic biosensors that employ genetically designed bacteria as the sensing element. During the tenure of this three-year continuing grant, Professor Daunert and her students at the University of Kentucky will develop recombinant bacteria that luminesce in the presence of toxic heavy metals such as chromium, arsenic, and nickel, incorporate these bacteria as the active elements in fiber optic sensors, and optimize the resulting devices. Specific targets include (a) coupling the mechanism of resistance of bacteria to chromate, arsenic, or nickel with the luciferase bioluminescence system; (b) preparing bacterial systems that will bioluminesce in the presence of the targeted metal; and (c) developing biosensors using these engineered bacteria and validating their performance with real samples. Also during this grant period, Professor Daunert will pursue an educational development plan that includes broad involvement of undergraduates in research, increased public appreciation of chemistry, and the attraction, mentoring, and retention of undergraduate students from underrepresented demographic groups. The development of more rapid and accurate techniques for monitoring low-level concentrations of toxic chemicals is important to progress in environmental protection. By combining the tools of modern molecular biology with fiber optic sensor technology, this CAREER research project should lead to new highly selective and sensitive probes for low concentrations of toxic heavy metals. The educational aspects of this CAREER project will expand the role of research in the training of undergraduates at the University of Kentucky and should increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in science at that institution.
