Abstract: Disclosed are systems for expression of an autonomous lux reporter system in a vertebrate cell, such as mammalian or fish cell. In some examples the lux reporter system is operably connected to a pollutant-inducible DNA response element. Also disclosed are transgenic zebrafish, carrying pollution-inducible response elements, and methods of using such zebrafish to monitor pollutants.

Abstract: An integrated microluminometer includes an integrated circuit chip having at least one n-well/p-substrate junction photodetector for converting light received into a photocurrent, and a detector on the chip for processing the photocurrent. A distributed electrode configuration including a plurality of spaced apart electrodes disposed on an active region of the photodetector is preferably used to raise efficiency.

Abstract: The luxA, B, C, D, and E genes from Photorhabdus luminescens have been introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae bioluminescent yeast cells.

Abstract: Monolithic bioelectronic devices for the detection of ammonia includes a microorganism that metabolizes ammonia and which harbors a lux gene fused with a heterologous promoter gene stably incorporated into the chromosome of the microorganism and an Optical Application Specific Integrated Circuit (OASIC). The microorganism is generally a bacterium.

Abstract: Bioelectronic devices for the detection of estrogen include a collection of eukaryotic cells which harbor a recombinant lux gene from a high temperature microorganism wherein the gene is operably linked with a heterologous promoter gene. A detectable light-emitting lux gene product is expressed in the presence of the estrogen and detected by the device.

Abstract: A method for cell-based combinatorial logic includes the steps of providing at least one genetically engineered cell, the genetically engineered cell having at least one transcriptional unit. The transcriptional unit includes a gene and a promoter, wherein application of a stimulus to the promoter results in the expression of a gene product. An energetic or chemical stimulus is applied to activate the promoter, wherein the detection of an output signal corresponds to the presence of a gene product. The cell can include a plurality of transcriptional units configured to form logic gates. The logic gates of a plurality of cells can be operably interconnected by release of output signals, such as chemical stimuli.

Abstract: Disclosed are monolithic bioelectronic devices comprising a bioreporter and an OASIC. These bioluminescent bioreporter integrated circuit are useful in detecting substances such as pollutants, explosives, and heavy-metals residing in inhospitable areas such as groundwater, industrial process vessels, and battlefields. Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for detection of particular analytes, including ammonia and estrogen compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides partially purified EPS that was purified from Thauera sp. Strain MZ1T. This partially purified EPS comprises rhamnose, xylose, galacturonic acid, galactose, glucose, N-acetylfucosamine. The invention further provides methods of producing the partially purified EPS and of utilizing the partially purified EPS in methods of chelating metals. Further provided by this invention is an exopolysaccharide termed “thaueran” that was purified from Thauera sp. Strain MZ1T. This exopolysaccharide has a molecular weight of about 250 kDa and comprises rhamnose, galacturonic acid, N-acetylfucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. The invention also provides methods of producing the exopolysaccharide and of utilizing the exopolysaccharide in methods of chelating metals.

Abstract: Disclosed are bioluminescent bioreporter integrated circuit devices that detect selected analytes in fluids when implanted in the body of an animal. The device comprises a bioreporter that has been genetically engineered to contain a nucleic acid segment that comprises a cis-activating response element that is responsive to the selected substance operably linked to a gene encoding a bioluminescent reporter polypeptide. In preferred embodiments, the target analyte is glucose, glucagons, or insulin. Exposure of the bioreporter to the target substance causes the response element to up-regulate the nucleic acid sequence encoding the reporter polypeptide to produce a luminescent response that is detected and quantitated. In illustrative embodiments, the bioreporter device is encapsulated on an integrated circuit that is capable of detecting the emitted light, processing the resultant signal, and then remotely reporting the results.

Abstract: The luxA, B, C, D, and E genes from Photorhabdus luminescens have been introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae bioluminescent yeast cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods that utilize immobilized bacterial bioreporters genetically engineered to emit light visible to the naked eye in the presence of selected analytes. An exemplary bioreporter is an E. coli that has been modified to respond to mercury II as a result of incorporation of a merRop/lux gene cassette into its genome. Systems employing analagously engineered microorganisms can detect selected toxins quickly without need for expensive instruments or highly trained technicians.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for detection of bacteria based on recognition and infection of one or more selected strains of bacteria with bacteriophage genetically modified to cause production of an inducer molecule in the bacterium following phage infection. The inducer molecule is released from the infected bacterium and is detected by genetically modified bacterial bioreporter cells designed to emit bioluminescence upon stimulation by the inducer. Autoamplification of the bioluminescent signal permits detection of low levels of bacteria without sample enrichment. Also disclosed are methods of detection for select bacteria, and kits for detection of select bacteria based on the described technology.

Abstract: An in-vivo cellular logic device includes a substrate and a structure for providing a stimulus to a plurality of discrete portions of the substrate. At least one whole cell is disposed on the substrate, the cell having at least one transcriptional unit, the transcriptional unit comprising a gene and a promoter. Upon application of a stimulus to the promoter, a gene product is expressed. A detector is provided to detect the presence of the gene product, the gene product preferably conferring a bioluminescent output. The cell can be genetically engineered. A method for processing data includes the steps of providing at least one genetically engineered cell, the genetically engineered cell having at least one transcriptional unit. The transcriptional unit includes a gene and a promoter, wherein application of a stimulus to the promoter results in the expression of a gene product.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for detection of bacteria based on recognition and infection of one or more selected strains of bacteria with bacteriophage genetically modified to cause production of an inducer molecule in the bacterium following phage infection. The inducer molecule is released from the infected bacterium and is detected by genetically modified bacterial bioreporter cells designed to emit bioluminescence upon stimulation by the inducer. Autoamplification of the bioluminescent signal permits detection of low levels of bacteria without sample enrichment. Also disclosed are methods of detection for select bacteria, and kits for detection of select bacteria based on the described technology.

Abstract: Voltage is applied to conducting loops wrapped around the outside of a non-conducting chamber (e.g., a glass tube) to generate a capacitively coupled discharge plasma inside the chamber. In one embodiment, a seed gas is injected into the chamber through an inlet in an otherwise closed end of the chamber, while the other end is open to the ambient atmosphere. In such an embodiment, the seed gas is used to ignite the plasma in air at essentially atmospheric pressure. The present invention has different applications, including, but not limited to, (a) passivating toxic or polluting gases that are injected into the chamber along with the seed gas and (b) treating materials placed within a second chamber that is connected to the open end of the plasma-generating chamber such that active species migrate into the second chamber to interact with the materials placed therein.

Abstract: The invention provides two new zoogloeal strains, mz1t and mz2t. The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid consisting of the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:1. Examples of nucleic acids of mz1t include SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3. An example of a nucleic acid of mz2t is SEQ ID NO:4. The invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid consisting of the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:5. A method of detecting the presence of zoogloeal clusters in a wastewater sample is provided, comprising: a) contacting RNA from a sample of the wastewater with a nucleic acid comprising the nucleic acid of SEQ ID Nos:1,2,3,4 or 5 under conditions that permit specific hybridization; and b) detecting the presence of hybridization, the presence of hybridization indicating the presence of zoogloeal clusters. A new Hyphomicrobium spp. strain, designated M3, is provided herein. The invention provides novel nucleic acids of a Hyphomicrobium sp. M3. For example SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:7 rDNAs of M3.

Abstract: Disclosed are monolithic bioelectronic devices comprising a bioreporter and an OASIC. These bioluminescent bioreporter integrated circuit are useful in detecting substances such as pollutants, explosives, and heavy-metals residing in inhospitable areas such as groundwater, industrial process vessels, and battlefields. Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for environmental pollutant detection, oil exploration, drug discovery, industrial process control, and hazardous chemical monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reporter bacterium, comprising a bacterium that occurs naturally in a biological sludge and that contains a nucleic acid that encodes a reporter protein not found in the naturally occurring bacterium. The nucleic acid can encode a bioluminescent reporter protein. A method and apparatus are also provided for detecting the presence of toxicity in a wastewater treatment influent stream, comprising contacting the influent with a reporter bacterium of the present invention; monitoring the expression of the reporter protein by the reporter bacterium; and correlating a reduction in the expression of the reporter protein with the presence of toxicity.

Abstract: The differential display (DD) technique, widely used previously for eukaryotic gene discovery, is optimized to detect differential mRNA transcription (an expressed gene) from both pure culture and soil derived bacterial RNA. A model system using toluene induction of TodC1 in Pseudomonas putida F1 is used to optimize the procedure. Once optimized, an arbitrary primer for the RT step in conjunction with the same arbitrary primer and a Shine-Dalgarno (SD) primer for the PCR reaction is used to detect the expressed gene. The invention thus provides a method for discovery and acquisition of novel genes from environmental microbial communities that avoids the traditional steps and inherent bias due to the culturing of environmental isolates.

Abstract: New strains of microorganisms which posses the dual capabilities for growth on surfactants and degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls are used in combination with soil washing for PCB bioremediation. Soil to be treated is washed with a surfactant to solubilize the generally hydrophobic contaminants. The surfactant solution is then treated in a bioreactor with the microorganisms. As the surfactant is degraded, the residual desolubilized contaminants are adsorbed onto an inert substrate, which is removed from the effluent and can be recycled to the bioreactor.