Enzyme-polymer based environmental monitors

Enzymes are commonly used as the active element in chemical sensors because of their analyte specificity, sensitivity, and the speed with which they catalyze reactions. Their precision and reliability has them at the core of many FDA-approved medical diagnostic tests. Unfortunately, nature has evolved most enzymes to operate under a fairly narrow range of storage and operating conditions (i.e. pH, ionic strength, temperature, organic content, etc). The deployment of enzyme-based sensors in poorly controlled environments with fluctuating conditions can therefore be difficult. ICx Technologies has sought to minimize the impact of environmental parameters on enzyme catalysis through enzyme polymerization. Rather than being simply immobilized onto an existing substrate, enzymes are used as co-monomers with other conventional monomers in polymerization reactions. Enzymes are incorporated within the polymer through multiple covalent attachments. By essentially anchoring the enzyme's tertiary structure, the polymerization process reduces enzyme sensitivity to many environmental factors. ICx has built a number of chemical sensors using enzyme polymers, some of which continuously monitor air or water in real time. The developed sensors have proven to operate well in many different environments.