- What is your contribution to the project (what’s your project part about)?
Our group at WUR contributes to the BioSensei project in two main ways. First, we provide the biological component of the biosensor device by engineering the bacterium Pseudomonas putida to detect environmental pollutants and produce a measurable output signal. Second, in close collaboration with the RIVM, we support the implementation of the European Commission’s Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) framework. From a technical perspective, this involves developing genetic safety mechanisms to prevent unintended release and conducting experimental risk assessments – such as measuring microbial escape frequencies. From an interdisciplinary sustainability perspective, we foster an innovation community within the consortium to address challenges like life-cycle-thinking, socio-economic fairness, and public engagement – exploring how SSbD can be integrated into early-stage R&D in disruptive fields.
- What’s the benefit/opportunity for society from the BioSensei research project?
Conventional methods for measuring pollutants are often costly, time-intensive, and require specialized equipment and personnel. In contrast, the biosensor developed in the BioSensei project enables near real-time, continuous monitoring of harmful chemicals in the environment. This provides better insight into exposure sources and concentrations, allowing for quicker responses to emissions. Additionally, the microbial part of the device makes is easily adaptable to detect other emerging pollutants.
- What are the scientific advancements you most look forward to in this field of research?
While the integration of synthetic biology, electrochemistry and optical engineering has been performed before, the BioSensei project will be one of the first examples of such an extensive interdisciplinary approach leading to a physical, real-life prototype of the technology. Bringing synthetic biology research outside of the lab and into a societally relevant application is an exciting aim of the BioSensei project.
