Our journey into the world of environmental bioremediation led us to the pervasive issue of phenol and its derivatives in water pollution. These pollutants originate from both natural sources and industrial processes. While phenolic compounds play crucial biochemical and physiological roles in living systems, the intensive activities of humankind have led to their accumulation in the environment, posing a significant ecological challenge. The quest to develop simple, sensitive, specific, accurate, and portable systems, such as biosensors, for the detection of phenolic compounds has garnered considerable interest. One key enzyme, tyrosinase, also known as polyphenol oxidase (PPO), has captured our attention. This copper-containing monooxygenase is widely distributed in microorganisms, animals, and plants, holding immense potential for catalyzing diverse reactions, including the hydroxylation of monophenols to o-diphenols (monophenolase activity) and the oxidation of o-diphenols to o-quinones (diphenolase activity). Various support materials and immobilization techniques have previously been explored to develop tyrosinase-based biosensors.

Recognizing the potential biohazard associated with the discharge of engineered bacteria used in phenol sensors, our team took a pioneering step. We constructed the pSB1A3-AraBAD-SRRz engineered bacteria, where the AraBAD promoter is inducible by environmental arabinose. Once transcription is initiated, the SRRz gene is translated into SRRz lytic enzyme, capable of lysing the engineered bacteria, thus preventing biosecurity contamination.

Our commitment extends beyond our immediate project. We aspire to contribute tangible advancements for the benefit of future IGEM teams. Our contributions include novel components such as the tyrosinase part, the AraBAD promoter + SRRz composite part, and updates to the existing SRRz component. These additions not only enrich the IGEM toolkit but also provide a safer approach to phenol sensing, minimizing potential biohazards associated with engineered bacteria.

In conclusion, our journey within the realm of IGEM has reinforced our dedication to addressing pressing environmental challenges. We extend our gratitude to the IGEM community for fostering a platform of scientific exploration, collaboration, and innovation. Together, we have the power to shape a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for generations to come.