MIT engineers have developed a new method to engineer bacteria that can produce unique combinations of light, allowing for the detection of pollutants or nutrients from a distance.
MIT engineers have developed a new method to engineer bacteria that can produce unique combinations of light, allowing for the detection of pollutants or nutrients from a distance. This technology has the potential to revolutionize agricultural monitoring and could lead to the development of bacterial sensors for detecting chemicals in soil, water, or air.
Hyperspectral reporting molecules are designed to produce distinctive wavelengths of light that can be detected using hyperspectral cameras. These molecules are linked to genetic circuits that detect nearby bacteria, allowing for long-distance sensing. The researchers identified two different molecules that were best suited for two types of bacteria: biliverdin for soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida and bacteriochlorophyll for aquatic bacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus.
Hyperspectral reporting molecules are designed to detect and report on specific molecular interactions.
These molecules have distinct spectral signatures that allow them to be identified and quantified using hyperspectral imaging techniques.
This enables researchers to non-invasively monitor biological processes, such as protein-ligand binding, in real-time.
Hyperspectral reporting molecules have applications in fields like drug discovery, biomedical research, and environmental monitoring.
The sensors developed by the MIT team have a range of potential applications, including agricultural monitoring, detecting landmines, and tracking environmental pollutants. The technology could be used to monitor nitrogen or nutrient levels in soil, detect malnutrition or pathogen invasion in plants, or identify signs of radiation.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been at the forefront of sensor technology research and development.
MIT sensors are designed to detect and measure various physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and vibration.
These sensors utilize advanced materials and technologies like nanotechnology and MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems).
Applications of MIT sensors include environmental monitoring, industrial automation, and healthcare.
According to a study by the International Society for Optical Engineering, the global sensor market is projected to reach $23.5 billion by 2025.
The researchers are now working on extending the distances over which the sensors can detect signals. Before being deployed, the sensors will need to undergo regulatory approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The team has been working with both agencies and other stakeholders to determine what kinds of questions need to be answered before these technologies could be approved.
According to Christopher Voigt, head of MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering, ‘It’s a new way of getting information out of the cell. If you’re standing next to it, you can’t see anything by eye, but from hundreds of meters away, using specific cameras, you can get the information when it turns on.‘
