Whole cell biosensor using the release of a volatile substance as reporter

摘要

A whole cell biosensor comprising a gene for a recognition protein and a gene fusion of at least one reporter gene and an inducible promoter so as to detect a specific analyte. The recognition protein (14) interacts with the analyte (12) in such a way that it is able to activate transcription from the promoter (18) and the reporter gene (20, 22) encodes a protein which produces a detectable response the reporter gene being located downstream of the inducible promoter. The detection of the analyte is signalled by the production of an odour (26). The whole cell biosensor may also produce a further signal such as light (24).