Team:UTArlingtonTexasUSA/Results
RESULTS
After the construction of the MFC, we simulated the baseline methodology by utilizing methylene-blue as a mediator in conjunction with ferricyanide as an electron acceptor to ensure that a current could be measured. We obtained a current of 1.5 mA (Figure 1) and this measurement allowed us to confirm that the construction of the MFC was capable of supporting whether the hypothesized gene sequence could be accurately tested and implemented for the detection of xylene. The first portion of the gene are constitutive and are always on, so the bacteria continuously is producing the protein of interest, Xylr. This protein initiates a cascade that activates the pyocyanin promoter and a fluorescent protein m.cherry.
Figure 1
Measuring the optical density of the de-protonated Pyocyanin (blue) vs that of Pyocyanin in a aqueous solution (red). This optical density chart can be used as a general standard for pH when running the fuel cells. It can help determine the chemical state of Pyocyanin that is produced from the cells.
This is the PUC19 vector at around 2500bp as observed alongside the 1kb ladder.
Future Plans:
- Create fuel cell that can detect multiple BTEX compounds simultaneously.
- Scale up fuel cell design size and amplify sensitivity of biosensing capabilities for increased viability for large-scale applications
- Commercialize microbial fuel cell for public and private use
- Develop a superior cell capable of fluorescence spectrum-calibration to quantify the activation of m.cherry and GFP
- Use Golden Gate Cloning method to ligate gene sequences in more efficient manner