Das Projekt "Einsatz von integrierten Biosensoren mit Antikoerper- und makrocyclischen Rezeptorbibliotheken bei der Messung von Algenzellen und Toxinen in Wasser" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Technische Universität Berlin, Fachbereich 07 Umwelt und Gesellschaft, Institut für Ökologie und Biologie, Fachgebiet Ökotoxikologie durchgeführt. General Information: The objective of the proposed work is to develop biosensor systems for the reliable monitoring of algae toxins and cells. Diagnosis will also be carried out using newly developed immunotoxicity assay. The use of an integrated electronic sensing principle is a very flexible approach, allowing the sample to be probed in many ways. The proposed approach is to use simple, disposable electrochemical affinity sensors. Affinity sensors are based on a receptor molecule specifically recognizing and binding an analyte. This is a very sensitive method and for biosensors the receptor most commonly used is an antibody. Recently a number of chemically or biochemically derived artificial receptors have been developed and their use in the construction of sensors has led to a new class of bio mimetic sensors. The principle of producing immunosensors has been demonstrated for other applications and is considered to have a high chance of success. Two state-of-the-art approaches are proposed for the production of receptor molecules. This is clearly a difficult task, but one which we believe will be successful. The proposers have considerable experience in antibody production, and significant experience in combinatorial synthesis. Both approaches have been demonstrated for use with compounds which are not dissimilar to those considered for this project. These approaches have the added advantage that they can be adapted to airy group of compounds. The biosensor array will be combined with multivariate analysis software for use in analyzing real samples taken from a number of sites throughout Europe. The instruments will be compared with current laboratory based methods such as chromatography. Immunotoxicity assay method will also be developed. The toxic and non-toxic algae will be fed to bivalves. The hemocytes will be tested concerning their phagozytotic activity. By recording immunological resistance (phagocytosis) in terms of quality and quantity, it is possible to detect biotoxins and their effects on the aquatic organisms. Experiments with reference biotoxins will be done with microcystin and anatoxin. Measurement of phagocytic activity offers ample opportunities for detecting unknown biotoxins by their influence on mussel immunology and hence a sensor can be constructed from this assay. Prime Contractor: Cranfield University, Biotechnology Centre; Cranfield.
Das Projekt "Algentoxine in Berliner Oberflaechengewaessern" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Berliner Betrieb für Zentrale Gesundheitliche Aufgaben, Institut für Umweltanalytik und Humantoxikologie durchgeführt. '- Bestimmung von Algentoxinen aus Blaualgen in Gewaessern; - Bewertung der Konzentrationen an Blaualgentoxinen im Rahmen der Badegewaesserhygiene und Erarbeitung von Grundlagen fuer Empfehlungen zur Nutzung der Gewaesser als Badegewaesser; - Erarbeitung der Grundlagen fuer einen ,Screeningtest' auf Algentoxine im Rahmen der Badegewaesseruntersuchungen und der Ableitung von Warnwerten; - Klaerung der Mobilitaet von Algentoxinen im Wasserkreislauf und Bedeutung im Rahmen der Trinkwassergewinnung.