Application of Macrolampis sp2 and Pyrearinus termitilluminans luciferases in a development of bacterial biosensors to environmental toxicity.

• Grant number: 11/16462-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2012
• End date: February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Radiology and Photobiology
• Principal Investigator: Vadim Viviani
• Grantee: Gabriele Verônica de Mello Gabriel
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias para a Sustentabilidade (CCTS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Firefly luciferases are largely used as bioanalytical reagents and for developing of biosensors. This project will analyse the applicability of the Macrolampis firefly luciferase in bacterial biosensor for toxicity in water, especially for divalent heavy metal detection, and to engineer a specific sensor in the luciferase structure for the detection of heavy metals. We will also check the suitability of the biosensor in different formats, such as liquid culture, immobilized gels and in lyophilized condition.