Abstract 2057 Development of a Quantum Dot-Based Cell-Free Cadmium Biosensor Component with Multiplexing Potential for the Detection of Heavy Metals in Fluids

As industrial pollution continues to increase across the globe, there is a large risk of heavy metal contamination of our water resources. Consuming these contaminated fluids has detrimental effects on our body, particularly the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems. Current heavy metal biosensors are predominantly whole-cell based biosensors. These face portability issues due to the environmental sensitivity of cells and also lack multiplexing capabilities. Our biosensor consists of a cell-free system that utilizes reengineered metalloregulator transcripts to direct enzymatic activity on quantum dot (QD) complexes.