Principal Investigators at ASE: Prof. Pasi Kallio
Duration of the project: 2010 – 2012
Project description:
Natural and synthetic water soluble polymers are used in a wide range from industrial processes to consumer products. For example, polymeric flocculent plays an important role in sewage treatment plants. The first objective of this project is to develop a sensitive polymer tracking method based on added nucleic acid labels on polymers and their non-amplification based detection.
Toxicogenic waterborne microorganisms cause a serious health risk that affects humans, animals and ecosystems worldwide. The second objective of the project is to develop a rapid and simple-to-use real time nucleic acid amplification test for water borne toxin producers.
ASE / MST develops microfluidic liquid handling methods for environment and process water samples. Our focus is on the development of disposable polymer cartridges for tracking polymers in industrial process waters.
Funding:
Tekes, Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy (0921547-0), Kemira Oyj (0109823-0), Finnzymes Oy (0669345-0), Hidex Oy (0936746-6), Plastone Oy (0369457-0)
Partners:
• Professor Timo Lövgren Department of Biotechnology, University of Turku
• PhD Jussi Meriluoto Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Åbo Akademi University
Personnel at ASE/MST:
• MSc Antti-Juhana Mäki
• MSc Anne Mäntymaa