Team:Stockholm
A modular biosensor for the detection of POPs in water
Our Awards
Prizes
Gold Medal
Nominations
Best Environment Project
Best New Composite Part
The Problem
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), have been of great concern in the past decades, due to their toxicity even at low concentrations. Their bioaccumulating properties lead to alarming concentrations in ecosystems. However, current detection methods for POPs are expensive and time-consuming.
Our Project
S-POP aims to solve this issue by creating a monitor containing two major parts, a modular E. coli biosensor coupled with a Microbial Fuel Cell. Read more about our project here.
Design
When E. coli is activated by the pollutant, a Quorum sensing (QS) molecule is produced. Upregulated by the QS-molecule, engineered Shewanella oneidensis produces an oscillating electrical signal whose pattern corresponds to the type of pollutants in the sample. Read more about our project design here here.
Human Practices
Our discussions with experts within academia, legislation, industry, healthcare, and society provided us with valuable feedback for further development of S-POP. Follow our journey here!
Project Promotion Video
