Objective
Direct quantification of dopamine neurotransmission is one of the unsolved problems that engaged scientific minds for the last fifty years. Such quantification is an extremely important tool to understand the underlying pathways that promote neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and depression. Since dopamine is secreted only in micro-molar quantities, a novel signal-amplification technique is required to be able to appropriately quantify its concentration. To meet the challenge, we propose a multidisciplinary research program comprised of simultaneous measurements from laser tweezer Raman spectroscopy and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Our proposal is based on the strong plasmonic interaction between graphene oxide nanosheets and aptamer functionalized gold nanoparticles, which increases the local intensity of the electromagnetic field to an extent that minute changes in ambient dielectric constant due to variations in the concentration of dopamine could bring about a perceptible signal. In the suggested scheme, we will use optical tweezers to place a gold nanoparticle dimer close to the surface of a graphene oxide sheet, and their hybridization will give rise to very strong electromagnetic fields able to dramatically increase the optical emission from dopamine. Moreover, we will increase the local concentration of molecules with electrothermoplasmonic flow towards the sensing area. The SERSET project will be carried out in the Nanoparticle Trapping Lab at the University of Granada, where a state-of-the-art setup combining optical tweezers and confocal Raman spectroscopy is available. A microfluidic chip and theoretical calculations will be carried out in the group of Prof. Romain Quidant at ETH Zurich during the planned secondments. The candidate has a strong background in nanoparticle synthesis, plasmonics, and computational modelling, which will be combined in the present proposal to bring about a new technology able to quantify dopamine secretion.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology dementia alzheimer
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials two-dimensional nanostructures graphene
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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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.
18071 GRANADA
Spain
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.