A low-cost wearable radiation sensor based on dose response viability of yeast cells

We present the first low-cost wearable radiation sensor that combines a MEMS structure with a microorganism (yeast) and utilizes the dose-response effect of ionizing radiation on yeast cells as a biologically relevant surrogate to measure radiation. Yeast cells are robust microorganisms which are semi-resistant to ionizing radiation. When exposed to radiation, yeast suffers DNA damage, mutations, and/or death, resulting in their decreased viability and ability to ferment a sugar solution. As a result, they provide a physical response (i.e., gas generation) to radiation that is biologically significant (DNA damage). Our dosimeter uses yeast housed in a low cost wearable MEMS structure as a biologically sensitive radiation indicator (canary in the coal mine). The dose response viability of yeast cells and the resulting gas generation in presence of sucrose solution is used to deflect a PDMS membrane and activate an LED indicator. The sensor allows radiation detection with sensitivity of -0.195 mm/decade-rad (1-1000 rad).