Wearable Biosensor Patch for Monitoring Air Toxicity in Occupational and Environmental Settings Over Time

Canaries thrive in the air and fish in water, providing rapid and sensitive readings of their environments. Humans can detect volatile organic compounds and toxic chemicals but cannot accurately estimate exposure levels, especially when using protective gear. In space, bacterial bioreporters can measure cumulative radiation exposure, whereas, on Earth, they can estimate air exposure levels. Bioluminescent biosensors have emerged as promising tools for air toxicity assessment, offering sensitive and low-cost air quality monitoring. Despite working in real time, these bioreporters need nearly an hour to respond, which is negligible for long exposures. Thus, genetically engineered bacteria can be used in wearable sensor systems. We will describe how our whole-cell biosensors can be used to monitor exposure to harmful substances in real time in environmental or occupational air, providing an estimation of toxicity, which no enzymatic sensor can provide, due to not being ‘living.’ The lux reporter system generates luminescence, which can be converted to an electrical signal if needed. Our wearable design involves an array of five bioreporters immobilized onto alginate hydrogels integrated into clothing. Readings are taken offline to prevent light contamination, and the accumulated data provide insight into exposure and health risks. Industrial workers, urban dwellers in polluted cities, and first responders would benefit from these patches, which only require connection to an offline reading device for immediate results. Bacterial bioreporters are immobilized in calcium alginate pads that maintain humidity and allow gas diffusion. The bacteria respond semi-quantitatively to toxic aerosols, providing a response within one hour of exposure.