Biosensor for heavy metals detection

What it does

Environmental monitoring is inaccessible for communities facing pollution. Our low-cost, portable biosensor empowers citizen scientists to test for heavy metals, gather data, and advocate for environmental and climate justice.

Your inspiration

The project was born from investigating the Gowanus Canal, a polluted Superfund site close to my university. Residents felt disconnected and powerless against the invisible threat of heavy metals. Inspired by citizen science projects like Safecast and my work in a bio-design lab, the idea for a low-cost, accessible LAMP-PCR biosensor emerged. It's a tool to turn community concern into data-driven action, making science a vehicle for environmental justice and empowering residents to reclaim their environment.

How it works

My biosensor is designed to detect heavy metal pollution by looking for a biological clue: the specific gens of microbes that thrive in contaminated environments. These bacteria have unique "survival genes" that allow them to live in toxicity. If we find these genes, we know heavy metals are likely present. The way it works is simple: After simple DNA extraction step you add a water or soil sample to a test tube with our reagents. The tube is heated in a constant temperature in the device, heat triggers the reaction which amplifies the target DNA region if the contaminant is present. If the reaction occurs, fluorescent dye in the tube starts to glow, which means that the heavy metal is present in the sample. If there is no glow, it means that there was no contaminant. This method is fast (apron. 60 min), requires simple hardware, and gives a clear yes-or-no answer without an expensive lab or elaborate equipment.

Design process

The project began with a metagenomic analysis of the Gowanus Canal's microbial communities to identify key metabolic pathways for degrading toxic compounds. From this data, I created consensus sequences to design PCR-based detection assays. I then modified software to generate primers for the target genes. These primers were validated first computationally (in silico) against Metagenome Assembled Genomes (MAGs) to confirm their specificity. Promising candidates from this step underwent experimental verification, which successfully identified the Cobalt-Zinc-Cadmium resistance protein as the most effective target for the biosensor. This part was heavy on in silico design, and prototyping. Simultaneously I was investigating the device for reaction to occur, thinking about shapes and way how I could keep the constant temperature for one hour. I was considering approaches with different technological complexity, from very DIY solutions to more elaborate designs. Importantly, the design direction was informed by user research; I collaborated with the Gowanus Canal Dredgers community to ensure the final device addressed their specific needs.

How it is different

What makes my biosensor unique is its integration of advanced molecular tools and community-centered design, creating a scientifically robust and locally relevant device. It combines LAMP-PCR for rapid, isothermal, and field-deployable contaminant detection — a major departure from traditional, lab-bound methods that are costly and impractical on-site. Starting with a metagenomic analysis of the Gowanus Canal, I identified specific markers like the Cobalt-Zinc-Cadmium resistance protein. Primers were rigorously validated both in silico and experimentally. The device idea was co-created with the Gowanus Canal Dredgers community, making it user-friendly, low-cost, and context-sensitive, empowering local users to monitor contamination effectively.

Future plans

The next steps for my biosensor design focus on further optimization, field testing, and scaling. First, I plan to focus on the physical look and design of the portable device. Than, I aim to refine the LAMP-PCR assay to improve sensitivity, reduce false positives, making it more reliable in variable environmental conditions. Next, I plan to conduct extensive field trials to validate the device’s performance on-site. I also intend to create a smartphone-based readout to simplify data collection and sharing. In the future, I hope to expand this approach to detect other contaminants.

Awards

1) LAMP-PCR based biosensor was selected as Top 8 Projects during BioDesign Challenge 2025. 2) LAMP-PCR Biosensor project was selected for presentation during International Symposium on Bioremediation and Environmental Biotechnology, taking place June 23–26, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts.