An Estrogen-Based BPA Detection Method

BPA is a synthetic Estradiol mimicking compound found in polymers and epoxy resins. Due to endocrine interrupting and estrogen simulating properties, BPA has side effects associated with reproductive and developmental health. To that the end, the team pursued the integration of a genetic device which detects BPA and estrogen on a parts per billion (ppb) basis. Ppb is the minimal level at which animal testing shows synthetic hormones to have detrimental effects. The device therefore consists of an Estrogen detection based promotor (the team hypothesizes shall also detect BPA due to chemical structural similarities beginning with the terminal alcohol group on each) and genes which code for blue fluorescence. The team will use E. coli in log and stationary phase to test the saturation of fluorescence using spectroscopy in cells grown in parts per trillion, parts per billion, and parts per trillion to determine if the device meets the requirements of effective detection