Detection and Bioremediation: Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Westenberg, David J.
Shannon, Katie
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Second Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of toxic man-made compounds which resist most natural degradation processes. Originally produced for use in electrical components, adaptation for use in industry and construction enabled PCBs to find their way into the environment. PCB toxicity has resulted in the sickening of hundreds of people on multiple continents. To detect and degrade environmental PCBs, a PCB degrading operon cloned from the organism Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, a PCB biosensor, and a kill switch will be designed and inserted into the model organism, E. coli. When this engineered bacteria takes up PCB molecules, gene for a red fluorescent protein as well as the enzymes for PCB degradation will be transcribed and translated, causing the visualization and breakdown of the PCB molecules. The kill switch gene will lyse the engineered bacteria following PCB degradation in order to ameliorate the bioburden of this project.
Biography
Damien Bizeau is a senior in Biological Sciences. Upon graduation, he plans to attend dental school to obtain a DDS.
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
Detection and Bioremediation: Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of toxic man-made compounds which resist most natural degradation processes. Originally produced for use in electrical components, adaptation for use in industry and construction enabled PCBs to find their way into the environment. PCB toxicity has resulted in the sickening of hundreds of people on multiple continents. To detect and degrade environmental PCBs, a PCB degrading operon cloned from the organism Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, a PCB biosensor, and a kill switch will be designed and inserted into the model organism, E. coli. When this engineered bacteria takes up PCB molecules, gene for a red fluorescent protein as well as the enzymes for PCB degradation will be transcribed and translated, causing the visualization and breakdown of the PCB molecules. The kill switch gene will lyse the engineered bacteria following PCB degradation in order to ameliorate the bioburden of this project.
Comments
Joint project with Elizabeth Thoenen