Development of biosensors based on cells for real - time environmental monitoring of estrogen and xenoestrogen dispersion and toxicity in water

The research focuses on the development of an innovative cell-based biosensor designed for real-time environmental monitoring of estrogenic and xenoestrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EEDCs) in water. Estrogens and related compounds, even at very low concentrations, pose serious ecological and health risks by interfering with hormonal signalling pathways. Existing analytical techniques, although sensitive and specific, are expensive, time-intensive, and unsuitable for on-site application. To address these limitations, a biosensing platform was engineered using calcium signalling as the core detection mechanism. Living cells were genetically modified to express aequorin, a bioluminescent calcium-sensitive protein, enabling the quantification of intracellular calcium levels. A silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array was employed for precise detection of the emitted luminescence, and a robust calibration procedure ensured reliable correlation between signal intensity and calcium concentration. By integrating cellular biology, optical detection, and environmental toxicology, the thesis proposes a novel, sustainable, and portable solution for monitoring estrogenic contamination in aquatic environments, in line with recent EU directives on water quality and endocrine disruptor surveillance. The research also includes a six-month industrial placement at ChemiCare, where the candidate refined protocols for calcium signal detection and applied these tools in parallel studies of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.