Development of a flow-through detector for monitoring genotoxic compounds by quantifying the expression of green fluorescent protein in genetically modified yeast cells

A Bow-through detector has been developed for quantifying green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressed in genetically modified yeast cells upon exposure to a genotoxic compound. The detector forms the basis of a prototype semi-a utomated bioassay for genotoxic compounds, by biological fluorescence induc tion and detection. The selection and optimization of the various optical c omponents of the system are discussed. The complete system was successfully tested with a known DNA damaging agent, and was able to monitor the expres sion of GFP on-line, in situ and in real time.