His two main research projects involve developing synthetic DNA aptamers for the detection of environmental contaminants in freshwaters and the detection of DNA damage in human cells caused by environmental agents such as ultraviolet light and components of cigarette smoke. Though many methods exist for detecting environmental pollution, simple, inexpensive, in situ methods would allow accurate detection of contaminants with little sample preparation. By using aptamers as probes, the Guthrie lab hopes to develop small hand held biosensors for use in the field.