An Estrogen-Based BPA Detection Method
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biology
Research Advisor
Shannon, Katie
Westenberg, David J.
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Second Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
Biological Sciences Department
Abstract
BPA is a synthetic Estradiol mimicking compound found in polymers and epoxy resins. Due to endocrine interrupting and estrogen simulating properties, BPA has side effects associated with reproductive and developmental health. To that the end, the team pursued the integration of a genetic device which detects BPA and estrogen on a parts per billion (ppb) basis. Ppb is the minimal level at which animal testing shows synthetic hormones to have detrimental effects. The device therefore consists of an Estrogen detection based promotor (the team hypothesizes shall also detect BPA due to chemical structural similarities beginning with the terminal alcohol group on each) and genes which code for blue fluorescence. The team will use E. coli in log and stationary phase to test the saturation of fluorescence using spectroscopy in cells grown in parts per trillion, parts per billion, and parts per trillion to determine if the device meets the requirements of effective detection.
Biography
My name is Brendan Beebe, a third year Biological Sciences major at Missouri University of Science and Technology. I have always loved biology and science from a young age, and decided to pursue a degree at Missouri S&T. It was here that I discovered the many interesting things that microbial agents can do, and what can be done to them. As such, I enrolled in Biological Design, and have embarked on a semester long project involving a Genetically Modified Organism.
Research Category
Research Proposals
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
11 Apr 2016, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
An Estrogen-Based BPA Detection Method
Upper Atrium/Hallway
BPA is a synthetic Estradiol mimicking compound found in polymers and epoxy resins. Due to endocrine interrupting and estrogen simulating properties, BPA has side effects associated with reproductive and developmental health. To that the end, the team pursued the integration of a genetic device which detects BPA and estrogen on a parts per billion (ppb) basis. Ppb is the minimal level at which animal testing shows synthetic hormones to have detrimental effects. The device therefore consists of an Estrogen detection based promotor (the team hypothesizes shall also detect BPA due to chemical structural similarities beginning with the terminal alcohol group on each) and genes which code for blue fluorescence. The team will use E. coli in log and stationary phase to test the saturation of fluorescence using spectroscopy in cells grown in parts per trillion, parts per billion, and parts per trillion to determine if the device meets the requirements of effective detection.
Comments
Joint project with Daniel Sloan.