Broad spectrum detection and "barcoding" of water pollutants by a genome-wide bacterial sensor array

Tal Elad, Shimshon Belkin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

An approach for the rapid detection and classification of a broad spectrum of water pollutants, based on a genome-wide reporter bacterial live cell array, is proposed and demonstrated. An array of ca. 2000 Escherichia coli fluorescent transcriptional reporters was exposed to 25 toxic compounds as well as to unpolluted water, and its responses were recorded after 3h. The 25 toxic compounds represented 5 pollutant classes: genotoxicants, metals, detergents, alcohols, and monoaromatic hydrocarbons. Identifying unique gene expression patterns, a nearest neighbour-based model detected pollutant presence and predicted class attribution with an estimated accuracy of 87%. Sensitivity and positive predictive values varied among classes, being higher for pollutant classes that were defined by mode of action than for those defined by structure only. Sensitivity for unpolluted water was 0.90 and the positive predictive value was 0.79. All pollutant classes induced the transcription of a statistically significant proportion of membrane associated genes; in addition, the sets of genes responsive to genotoxicants, detergents and alcohols were enriched with genes involved in DNA repair, iron utilization and the translation machinery, respectively. Following further development, a methodology of the type described herein may be suitable for integration in water monitoring schemes in conjunction with existing analytical and biological detection techniques.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3782-3790
Number of pages9
JournalWater Research
Volume47
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2013

Keywords

  • Biosensors
  • Gene expression
  • Machine learning
  • Reporter bacteria
  • Water toxicity monitoring
  • Whole-cell array

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Broad spectrum detection and "barcoding" of water pollutants by a genome-wide bacterial sensor array'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this