title: New Multidimensional Biosensor for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Measurements and Signal Analysis. (My first GRANT)
reg no: ETF6700
project type: Estonian Science Foundation research grant
subject: 1.6. Physical, Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry
1.9. Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology
status: accepted
institution: TU Faculty of Physics and Chemistry
head of project: Timo Kikas
duration: 01.01.2006 - 31.12.2009
description: A wide variety of biosensors have been developed during last decade to measure Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). The main aim has been to reduce the time required to obtain the result. Even though sensors have reduced the time of analysis, about 80% of the sensors developed by different research groups never reach the consumer because of the various deficiencies. In this project we propose a biosensor array, where different strains of thermophilic microorganism cultures are used as a microbial component of sensors. Reaction rates are higher at elevated temperature resulting in faster response to the organic compounds present in the solution. Different strains will be chosen in a manner that in addition to a common substrate range each strain in the array will also have a substrate range that they can use as their energy source specific to just this strain of microorganism. In this way, when getting a signal out of the different sensors in the array, covered with different microorganisms, we will be able to subtract from those responses information about the character of the organic compounds responsible for the BOD. Furthermore, we propose to separate the different microorganisms by immobilizing them on the spatially separated electrodes of the array. By separating the different microorganisms we expect to see also longer lifetimes of the sensors. If we combine high temperature measurements with the array of microorganisms, we also expect higher accuracy and precision.

project group
no name institution position  
1.Timo KikasTartu Ülikool 
2.Siiri Velling