This project aimed to design and construct a completely novel type of self-powering electrochemical biosensor, called ElectrEcoBlu. The novelty lies in the fact that the output signal is an electrochemical mediator which enables electrical current to be generated in a microbial fuel cell. ElectrEcoBlu functions as a biosensor for a range of important and widespread environmental organic pollutants which stimulate the biosensor to produce its own electrical power output. The system has the potential to be used for self-powered long term in situ and online monitoring with an electrical readout. Our approach exploited a range of state-of-the art modelling techniques to support the design and construction of this novel synthetic biological system. This was facilitated by the entire team - biologists and modellers - working in an integrated laboratory environment.