-Development of whole-cell luminescent biosensors for the
quantification of endocrine disruptors, new molecules and toxic
compounds in biological, environmental and clinical samples.
-Development of new in vivo and in vitro Bioluminescence
Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) assays for monitoring
protein-protein interactions
- Development of new multiplexed cell-based bioassays for the
study of bile acid biosynthesis
-Cloning and analytical applications of new bioluminescent
reporter genes (luciferases, aequorin…) for in vivo imaging and
multiplexed whole-cell biosensors
- Random and site-directed mutagenesis of bioluminescent
proteins and photoproteins to obtain new mutants with improved
emission characteristics for reporter gene applications
Development and
bioanalytical applications of whole-cell luminescent biosensors for
the quantification of endocrine disruptors, new molecules and toxic
compounds in biological, environmental and clinical
samples.
New whole cells
biosensors have been obtained by exploiting synthetic biology
strategies and applied to diverse analytical applications, ranging
from environmental contaminants detection to drug screening [Anal
Chem, 2008, Nat Protoc. 2008] and forensic analysis. Several
international collaborations are on going to expand the
applicability of these biosensors and explore the possibility to
use them for real-life needs and on-field applications. In
collaboration with Prof. Lena Ekström (Division of Clinical
Pharmacology, Karolinska Instituet (Stockholm, Sweden) the suitability of a
yeast-based bioreporter for anti-doping analysis was investigated
[Eur J Clin Invest. 2013].
Cloning and
analytical applications of new bioluminescent reporter genes
(luciferases, aequorin…) for in vivo imaging and multiplexed
whole-cell biosensors
New bioluminescent
proteins and photoproteins have been obtained by random and
site-directed mutagenesis showing improved emission properties for
reporter gene applications. In collaboration with Prof. Bruce
Branchini, (Chemistry Department, Connecticut College, CT, USA) a
new luciferase from L.
italica was cloned and patented [PCT/US2007/003546] and new
mutants were obtained [Photochem Photobiol Sci, 2008].
These proteins have
been expressed in bacteria, yeast and mammalian cell
lines and have been used for developing multiplexed in vivo
bioluminescence imaging models [Mol Imaging Biol, 2009].
New miniaturized
analytical devices for on field analysis.
The bioengineered
biosesensorshave been immpobilized into a proprietary matrix and
integrated into portable devices for on field analysis. A portable
device based on contact imaging has been developed and applied for
analysis of environmental samples [Biosens Bioelectron 2011, Anal
Bioanal Chem 2011].
In collaboration with
Prof. Dirk Schüler
(Universität Bayreuth , UBT) magnetotactic bacteria were
genetically engineered to express different luciferasesa and a
portable device for toxicity screening was developed [Lab Chip
2013].
