Electronic Biosensors for Environmental Monitoring

As environmental pollution increasingly threatens public health, the MOBILES project is pioneering advanced electronic biosensors—small, portable devices that can quickly and accurately detect harmful substances in our surroundings. These biosensors are designed to be fast, affordable, and easy to use, offering a powerful new way to monitor environmental health in real-time.

What Are Biosensors?

Biosensors are devices that combine biological elements with electronic systems to detect specific pollutants. When a biosensor encounters a pollutant, it generates a measurable signal. The materials used in biosensors are critical to their performance. The MOBILES project enhances these sensors with advanced nanomaterials, significantly improving their sensitivity and reliability. This allows even trace amounts of pollutants to be detected, making these sensors vital tools for environmental monitoring. The MOBILES project focuses on integrating nanomaterials that not only enhance detection capabilities but are also eco-friendly. The project ensures that these biosensors are designed with sustainability in mind, minimizing environmental impact while maximizing effectiveness. The developed biosensor will be in line with the WHO international published guidelines for new diagnostic tools known as REASSURED (Real-time connectivity; Ease of specimen collection; Affordability; Sensitivity; Specificity; User-friendliness; Rapid & robust operation; Equipment-free; and Deliverability).

Three approaches that require minimal sample preparation will be developed:

1. apta-sensors based on aptamers that recognize bacterial cell or spore surface,

2. electronic nose (e-nose or nose-on-a-chip) for detection and quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by bacteria.

3. geno-sensors for detection of genes involved in antibiotic resistance.

Each approach offers a unique method for detecting environmental pollutants.

Apta-sensors

Apta-sensors use aptamers – short strands of DNA or RNA that specifically bind to the bacterial surface or spores. Bacterial spores, the dormant bodies of bacteria that carry all the genetic material without an active metabolism, will be magnetically captured and detected using electrochemiluminescence (ECL). ECL combines electrochemical and luminescent processes to produce highly sensitive, low-background signals, ideal for portable devices. ECL technology has been successfully commercialized for various immunoassays, making it a reliable choice for detecting harmful substances. Additionally, the project incorporates microfluidics design, which will be combined with magnetic capturing for monitoring water safety. Microfluidic systems enhance biosensor efficiency by improving sample processing, reducing reagent usage, and enabling real-time detection. Microfluidic systems will be also used in WP2 to create bacteria-based chemiluminescent biosensor . This integration opens new possibilities for portable, accurate, and environmentally friendly biosensors.

Electronic Nose (e-nose)

The e-nose, or electronic nose, detects volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by bacteria. VOCs are chemical compounds that can be harmful to both human health and the environment. The e-nose provides a non-invasive, real-time method for monitoring air quality and is particularly useful in food safety, as it can detect changes without the need for processing physical samples. By recognizing VOCs, the e-nose helps prevent exposure to potentially dangerous pollutants, contributing to a safer environment.

Geno-sensors

Geno-sensors focus on detecting antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) using Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP). ARGs are genetic elements that make bacteria resistant to antibiotics, posing a significant public health threat. LAMP is a molecular technique that amplifies DNA at a constant temperature, allowing for quick, specific, and sensitive detection. This method is particularly useful for point-of-care diagnostics, making it easier to identify and address antibiotic resistance in various environments.

Readout Circuit Design

The MOBILES project also emphasizes the importance of modern electronic readout circuits for signal acquisition, processing, and communication in biosensors. These circuits, equipped with LCD display or Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, enable the biosensors to be portable and user-friendly while providing real-time data. This design ensures that the biosensors developed in the project are not only effective but also accessible for widespread use in environmental monitoring. 

Empowering Communities and Protecting the Environment

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of these biosensors is their potential to empower everyday people to take charge of their environmental health. With these portable, user-friendly devices, individuals and communities can conduct their own tests, gaining immediate insights into the presence of pollutants. This democratization of environmental monitoring could lead to faster responses to contamination events and better protection for both people and the planet.

As the MOBILES project continues to develop and refine these technologies, the future of environmental health monitoring looks brighter than ever. With the ability to detect pollutants quickly, accurately, and affordably, these biosensors could help us build a safer, cleaner world for generations to come.