Authors
Warsaw University of Technology
Prof. Marcin Olszewski, molsza@wp.pl
Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics
Rafał Kasztelanic, PhD, rafal.kasztelanic@imif.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
Institute of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine
Sabina Żołędowska, Development Directorx, s.zoledowska@ibmm.pl
PRO SCIENCE Polska sp. z o.o.
Dawid Nidzworski, Vice President, dawid@etongroup.eu
Aim of the project
The project concerns research and development and work, which will result in the development of an ultra-sensitive and mobile device allowing for simultaneous and rapid detection of at least eight different heavy metals in water using electrochemical and optical measurements, in the range recommended by the WHO and the Ministry of Health. Market application market will allow for quick and precise analysis of drinking water contamination and, after preparation of the sample, the analysis of environmental water and wastewater. To ensure the successful implementation, three independent biological strategies based on DNA aptamers, oligopeptides, and modified GF were proposed, as were two physical strategies based on optics and electrochemistry.
To create the final version of the device allowing for rapid detection, these biomolecules will be selected from the three types of biological elements, providing the optimal stability and qualitative and quantitative measurements of heavy metals in water.
Short description of the problem addressed by this project
It is estimated that 71% of the human population has experienced periods of drought or water shortages. With such limited resources, preserving and monitoring the purity of surface and groundwater is essential. Heavy metals are very significant contaminants, as they are non-biodegradable, highly toxic, and carcinogenic, even in trace amounts. Their effects usually do not cause immediate symptoms but make themselves known years later, when their effects are often already irreversible.
There are methods on the market, such as atomic absorption spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and chromatography, which provide sufficient sensitivity and selectivity in detecting heavy metals. However, their applications are limited due to the complexity of the methods and the time-consuming and costly sample preparation procedure. Therefore, the project will use biosensors for heavy metal detection due to their high sensitivity and simplicity of construction.
Thanks to the cooperation of renowned scientific centers and a business partner, a unique mobile instrument will be created, allowing the simple monitoring of environmental pollution and simultaneously detecting at least eight heavy metals. This is the first developed and marketed solution of this type, as well as the first mobile device combining electrochemical and optical detection, guaranteeing a significant market potential.
Main results and achievements
The project allowed to develop novel measurement methods and dozens of new receptors that allow selective and non-selective detection of heavy metals in water. The metals that can be detected are: Cu, Ni, Se, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd, Hg, As, and Sb.
The developed receptors belong to three groups of compounds:
- DNA aptamers are based on an electrochemical measurement,
- Oligopeptides allow for parallel optical and electrochemical measurements,
- Modified GF proteins are a unique approach that adds a polypeptide loop to the GF protein that selectively interacts with heavy metal ions. This allows for detecting metals using optical methods such as fluorescence and interference. So far, no one has isolated this type of protein and used it as part of a receptor layer for heavy metal detection.
The final result of the work is three mobile devices that allow for simultaneous and rapid detection of at least eight different heavy metals in water using electrochemical and optical measurements. The devices will detect contaminants according to standards recommended by the WHO and the Ministry of Health.
Conclusion
The project researched, modified, and developed novel bioreceptor layers that allow selective detection of heavy metals in water. Various measurement strategies based on electrochemistry and optics were also developed. As a result, three mobile devices were developed, allowing for simultaneous and rapid detection of at least eight different heavy metals in water.
Acknowledgments
This research received support from the National Center for Research and Development in Poland under the project TECHMATSTRATEG-III/0042/2019.
