Revolutionizing Environmental Monitoring

In today’s rapidly changing world, the challenges posed by environmental pollution and harmful pathogens are more urgent than ever.

From Chemicals of Emerging Concern (CECs) and Persistent Mobile Chemicals (PMCs) to antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria, the threats to human health and ecosystems are significant. Laboratory analyses, while reliable, are labour-intensive, time-consuming, and costly, making them unsuitable for real-time or on-site monitoring.

In situations where the timely delivery of results can be a decisive factor—critical for protecting public health or enforcing environmental policies—the expertise of the MOBILES consortium fills a crucial gap. Our interdisciplinary research project is dedicated to advancing environmental quality monitoring and pollution mitigation.

About the MOBILES Project

MOBILES unites 15 experts in materials science, biotechnology, environmental analysis, and electronics to develop portable, high-precision biosensors and monitoring devices. These innovations are designed to detect and mitigate pollutants across diverse environments, benefiting industries, regulatory bodies, and everyday consumers alike.

Key Objectives

MOBILES aims to revolutionize pollution detection with both device-based and organism-based biosensors, ensuring comprehensive and adaptable solutions. The project’s core objectives are:

1. Developing electronic biosensors to monitor organic chemicals, antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and pathogens in water, soil, and air.

2. Creating organism-based biosensors such as genetically modified plants, bacteria, and marine diatoms to detect pollutants, including antibiotics, heavy metals, and bioplastic traces in seawater.

3. Evaluating environmental performance of the developed organisms and devices to ensure their effectiveness in real-world conditions.

4. Conducting metagenomic analyses of microbiota in polluted environments to quickly identify genes, species, and strains that can give insight on pollution typology.

5. Performing safety assessments to ensure biosensors and organisms comply with environmental and health regulatory standards.

Real-World Applications

Once validated, MOBILES’ biosensors will deliver unprecedented capabilities to a diverse range of stakeholders:

• Environmental Agencies: Fast, reliable tools for assessing contamination hotspots.

• Industries: Effective quality control systems for pollution management in manufacturing and agriculture.

• Consumers: Affordable, portable solutions for ensuring water, air, and soil safety

• Emergency Responders: Rapid assessment tools during environmental crises, such as oil spills or chemical leaks.

Join Us on This Journey

The MOBILES project is paving the way for a cleaner and safer future by bridging cutting-edge research and practical solutions. Stay informed about our progress and breakthroughs by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on social media