Our biosensors are unique biological detectors, based on environmental bacteria able to be used in both saline and freshwater applications without pre-treatment.
We currently have two market-ready biosensors; a ‘general’ or ‘acute’ toxicity biosensor, and a ‘geno-’ toxicity biosensor. These sensors allow the user to determine the combined toxic effect of all the substances within a sample, and also the specific ability of the components to cause gene-damage. They are engineered to produce easily-measurable light, which changes in the presence of toxic compounds. The subsequent change in light is then measured, indicating the overall toxicity of the sample. The mechanisms of toxicity are then further analysed using our suite of positive controls, and results are related to our extensive in-house database.
We are currently designing additional, specific biosensors to sensitively detect individual elements or parameters based on a switch-on light system, so only the specific compound or element of interest will activate the sensor. Unlike regularly used Vibrio fisherii (a light-producing marine bacterium used by many other toxicity testing companies), our sensors have been carefully engineered using synthetic biology. This increases sensitivity, improves reliability in complex media and different temperatures, decreases reaction time, and reduces the time-consuming need to adjust the salinity of your sample before testing.
