AmpiDots | Exponential Amplification and Rapid Detection of miRNAs using DNA-Quantum Dot Bioconjugates for Disease Diagnostics

Summary
Accurate and timely diagnosis is critical in the treatment of all diseases. Researchers are constantly discovering new links between specific biomolecules and diseases, often uncovering ‘panels’ of markers with high sensitivity and specificity for disease diagnostics. However, our current diagnostic tools are unable to take advantage of these panels as they lack sensitivity, or are too costly and slow for practical application. Accordingly, new technologies that can help transform these fundamental discoveries into revolutionary clinical tools are in high demand. These must be rapid, efficient, robust and cost-effective. To this end, I will develop a new rapid diagnostic assay that combines the unique functional properties of fluorescent nanomaterials and enzymes. The core technology is an advanced nanoparticle-biomolecule construct consisting of highly fluorescent ‘quantum dot’ inorganic nanoparticles coated with DNA. These nanobioconjugates (termed ‘AmpiDots’) act simultaneously as both templates for isothermal amplification of target miRNAs and as highly sensitive fluorescent sensors. The result will be a rapid, highly sensitive, versatile and efficient assay that can detect multiple targets simultaneously and give a robust signal for assay readout. A critical aspect of the work will be the use of advanced microfluidic-based analytical systems to optimise the assay and to study the unique phenomena that arise when enzymes interact with nanoparticles.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/701994
Start date: 01-01-2017
End date: 31-12-2018
Total budget - Public funding: 187 419,60 Euro - 187 419,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Accurate and timely diagnosis is critical in the treatment of all diseases. Researchers are constantly discovering new links between specific biomolecules and diseases, often uncovering ‘panels’ of markers with high sensitivity and specificity for disease diagnostics. However, our current diagnostic tools are unable to take advantage of these panels as they lack sensitivity, or are too costly and slow for practical application. Accordingly, new technologies that can help transform these fundamental discoveries into revolutionary clinical tools are in high demand. These must be rapid, efficient, robust and cost-effective. To this end, I will develop a new rapid diagnostic assay that combines the unique functional properties of fluorescent nanomaterials and enzymes. The core technology is an advanced nanoparticle-biomolecule construct consisting of highly fluorescent ‘quantum dot’ inorganic nanoparticles coated with DNA. These nanobioconjugates (termed ‘AmpiDots’) act simultaneously as both templates for isothermal amplification of target miRNAs and as highly sensitive fluorescent sensors. The result will be a rapid, highly sensitive, versatile and efficient assay that can detect multiple targets simultaneously and give a robust signal for assay readout. A critical aspect of the work will be the use of advanced microfluidic-based analytical systems to optimise the assay and to study the unique phenomena that arise when enzymes interact with nanoparticles.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2015-EF

Update Date

28-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2015
MSCA-IF-2015-EF Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)