Early detection of cancer is a central priority for European health policy, as earlier diagnosis is strongly associated with improved survival, reduced treatment burden and lower healthcare costs. Despite major advances in oncology, many current diagnostic approaches remain invasive, expensive or insufficiently sensitive to detect disease at its earliest stages. There is therefore a clear need for new diagnostic technologies that are accurate, scalable and compatible with routine clinical use.
MicroRNAs circulating in biological fluids have emerged as highly promising biomarkers for cancer detection, prognosis and treatment monitoring. However, their translation into clinical practice is still limited by the lack of sensing technologies that combine sensitivity, reproducibility and cost-effectiveness. Addressing this technological gap is essential to support EU strategies focused on cancer prevention, early detection and personalised medicine.
The GraBBIng project addressed this challenge by exploring the use of graphene oxide, a two-dimensional nanomaterial with unique physicochemical properties, as the basis for an innovative biosensing platform for cancer-related microRNAs. Graphene oxide offers key advantages relevant to EU strategic priorities: tunable surface chemistry, compatibility with low-cost manufacturing, and potential integration into compact diagnostic devices.
The overall objectives of the project were to:
advance the understanding of how graphene oxide functionalisation influences biomolecular sensing performance;
design and evaluate a biosensing architecture suitable for microRNA detection; and
generate experimental evidence to assess the feasibility and limitations of graphene-based biosensors for cancer diagnostics.
Through these objectives, the project aimed to establish a scientific and technological foundation for future development of next-generation diagnostic tools. The expected impact is long-term and strategic: supporting the transition towards earlier cancer detection, more personalised clinical decision-making and improved sustainability of healthcare systems. By contributing new knowledge at the interface of nanomaterials and biomedical sensing, GraBBIng strengthens Europe’s capacity to develop innovative health technologies aligned with EU cancer, health and innovation policies.
The project did not require the integration of social sciences and humanities, as it focused on materials engineering and biosensing technology. However, its outcomes are directly relevant to broader societal challenges, including public health, healthcare accessibility and innovation-driven economic growth.
