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

A flow through detector has been developed for quantifying green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressed in genetically modified brewers' yeast (\+i\Saccharomyces cerevisiae\-i\) cells upon exposure to a genotoxic compound. The detector forms the basis of a prototype semi-automated bioassay for genotoxic compounds by biological fluorescence induction and detection. The selection and optimization of the various optical components of the system are discussed. The complete system was successfully tested with a known DNA damaging agent and was able to monitor the expression of GFP online, \+i\in situ\-i\ and in real time. (Original abstract)