"Oxford Molecular Biosensors (OMB ltd) is a spinout from the university of Oxford. Our aim is to translate ground-breaking synthetic biology research into sets of useable chemical and biological monitoring tools and products for application worldwide. In this project we aim to develop a new sensor which is able to rapidly detect an important measure of water quality; Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD). Current measures take up to 5 days and can cost £50-200 per measurement, however with our novel biosensor we believe we could reduce this time to between 20 minutes and 3 hours, at a reduced cost. Our new technology is based on a suite of novel biosensors that can quickly detect metals, organics and biological toxins at very low concentrations. These can be deployed to monitor and manage environmental pollution, provide new and unique solutions to waste remediation and assist in metal and waste recycling. It would allow us, and our customers to detect polluting effluents in rivers, lakes and the environment quickly, cheaply and effectively. The new biosensor would give rapid results at any site of interest, and could be used for a wide range of applications spanning from industrial waste, agricultural effluents and in river systems global y. With water security of paramount importance, our new biosensors offer a rapid and sensitive method to detect toxicity and pollution."