Application of an Interferometric Biosensor Chip to Biomonitoring an Endocrine Disruptor

Recombinant E.coli ACV 1003 (recA::lacZ) releasing ${\beta}$-galactosidase by a SOS regulon system, when exposed to DNA-damaging compounds, have been used to effectively monitor endocrine disruptors. Low enzyme activity of less than 10 units/mL, corresponding to a $\mu\textrm{g}$/L(ppb) range of an endocrine disruptor (tributyl tin, bisphenol A. etc.), can be rapidly determined, not by a conventional time-consuming and tedious enzyme assay, but by an alternative interferometric biosensor. Heavily boron-doped porous silicon for application as an interferometer, was fabricated by etching to form a Fabry-Perot fringe pattern, which caused a change in the refractive index of the medium including ${\beta}$-galactosidase. In order to enhance the immobilization of the porous silicon surface, a calyx crown derivative (ProLinker A) was applied, instead of a conventional biomolecular affinity method using biotin. This resulted in a denser linked formation. The change in the effective optical thickness versus ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity, showed a linear increase up to a concentration of 150 unit ${\beta}$-galactosidase/mL, unlike the sigmoidal increase pattern observed with the biotin.