17E DNAzyme as a general divalent metal sensor

The purpose of this research project is to develop new biosensor for metal ions for water samples and to understand the effect of dissolved organic matters (DOM) on the biosensor. In particular, the biosensors are based on catalytically active DNA molecules (DNAzymes) that require specific metal ions for activity. This work will test a DNAzyme, that is 17E, for its use as a general metal sensor for common transition metal ions and the DOM effect. In addition, we are selecting new DNAzymes that are specific to important metals such as Ni2+. This work is conducted in collaboration with Dr. Scott Smith from Wilfrid Laurier University. This data set is collected for the project titled Sensor and Sensing Systems for Water Quality Monitoring', which is a Pillar 2 project under the Global Water Futures Program funded by Canada First Research Excellence Fund.