Objective
The proposed project will develop a polymer-based optofluidic lab-on-a-chip device to study the physical dynamics of label-free DNA molecules. DNA contains the complete genetic code of an organism, yet it is the interaction of DNA with other molecular species that determine how that code is interpreted. Moreover, it has been suggested that there are other factors beyond the genomic sequence that are involved in an organism’s complexity. Subsequently, this project will study the physical dynamics of DNA by spatially profiling its restriction and extension attributes as it propagates along integrated nanochannels. The operating principle of the device will be based on the refractive index (RI) perturbation caused by a DNA molecule as it passes through an optical detector region. The optical detection scheme will use band-edge lasers in photonic crystals to monitor subtle shifts in wavelength caused by the change in RI. This will result in a label-free approach to characterise DNA, circumventing the negative effects of dye staining – a common DNA investigation technique – that prevents true measurements of the molecule’s behaviour. The device material will be polymer-based, offering an affordable development trajectory via nanoimprint technology. In addition, polymer is a suitable material for introducing active dopants, such as fluorescent dyes, to generate the photonic crystal band-edge laser components. Finally, the integration of nanochannels to the devices offers several novel advantages: the nanochannel provides a straightforward approach to deliver DNA to the detector regions; the nanochannel confines DNA, causing an extension of its molecular conformation and allowing access to structural detail otherwise difficult to obtain; and the nanochannel dimensions provide an opportunity to form slot waveguides, a mechanism that drastically increases optical mode intensities within narrow channels to significantly improve detection sensitivity.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies microtechnology lab on a chip
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IIF
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
2800 Kongens Lyngby
Denmark
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.