Homework
Weekly homework submissions:
Week 1 HW: Principles and Practices
Biological Engineering Application 1. Description: My idea is to develop a biosensor for heavy metal detection using engineered Escherichia coli bacteria as a chassis. Lead, cadmium, and mercury are the most problematic heavy metals, accumulating in organisms and slowly killing them. The tool would involve genetically modifying E. coli to incorporate metal-responsive genetic circuits that detect the presence of heavy metals and respond by producing an easily observable response. Right now I am considering green fluorescent protein (GFP) to be the best fit. When exposed to contaminated water, the bacteria would “light up” proportionally to the metal concentration, allowing for quick detection via a simple handheld fluorometer. Heavy metal pollution from industrial runoff, mining, and urban waste is a major global issue, leading to contaminated drinking water that causes neurological damage, kidney failure, and ecosystem disruption in affected communities. Traditional detection methods, like atomic absorption spectrometry, are expensive, lab-based, and time-consuming, often delaying response to pollution events. In contrast, biosensors are low-cost, portable, and provide real-time results, enabling faster interventions in polluted areas, such as rivers or municipal water supplies in developing regions. Iit promotes sustainable monitoring and could integrate with community science initiatives to empower local environmental stewardship.
Week 2 Homework: DNA Read, Write & Edit
- Gel Art: vs The digestion results: