Project description
Nanodiamonds with defect centres offer great potential for quantum sensing in biology
In biology, the use of nanoprobes could enhance understanding of cellular machinery by detecting relevant molecules or processes. Researchers have recently shown that nitrogen-vacancy centres inside nanodiamonds serve as ultrasensitive optical probes for redox reactions. These point defects in nanodiamonds offer the potential of ion and molecule intracellular detection and localisation. Extending their rather short coherence times and enhancing their specificity and colloidal stability could further increase their sensitivity. The EU-funded ChemiQS project aims to tackle these issues by developing a novel chemical approach to improve nitrogen-vacancy spin properties, by engineering ultrathin polymer coatings on diamond, and by using advanced chemical techniques for the analyte detection.
Objective
Quantum sensing is a recent, dynamically expanding field affecting many scientific and industrial disciplines, including chemistry, biochemistry, biology and medicine. I have been advancing this field by developing quantum physical principles for the detection of Nitrogen‑Vacancy (NV) spin states in diamond. In my recent collaboration with the hosting supervisor, we have demonstrated that nanodiamond particles (NDs) can act as an optical probe for redox reactions reaching unprecedented sensitivity of 10 external spins. ND probes have enormous potential for instance for intracellular localized detection, but the sensitivity is limited by short NV coherence times due to subsurface defects and unsaturated bonds. Moreover, the sensor specificity and colloidal stability in the biological liquids need to be addressed. I aim to tackle these drawbacks by developing a radically novel chemical approach to remove the unpaired electrons and by engineering ultrathin polymer coatings and linking strategies. To reach the project's complex goals, a highly interdisciplinary approach is proposed. My plan is to 1) annihilate the dangling bonds and subsurface defects by controlled surface removal using radical etching in the gas phase, 2) develop colloidally stable ND probes using ultrathin polymer coating, 3) use NV spin properties to optically detect paramagnetic ions and nucleic acids in biologically relevant conditions with unprecedented sensitivity. The proposed fellowship will allow me to look at the problematics of quantum sensors from the chemical point of view, complementing my expertise in physics. Furthermore, acquiring chemical skills by working in a leading ND surface chemistry group, will improve my prospects to become a leader in the topic of quantum biological sensing, which I want to pursue further in my home country. At the same time, I would like to bring to the host group my expertise in quantum sensing methodology that will be used in the project and beyond it.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules nucleic acids
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry organic reactions
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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H2020-EU.4. - SPREADING EXCELLENCE AND WIDENING PARTICIPATION
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-WF-2018-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
166 10 PRAHA 6
Czechia
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.