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Novel ApameR-Based Rapid Test Technology for Virus Detection

Project description

RNA aptamer-based sensors for pathogen detection

Rapid point-of-care (POC) testing has proven crucial for the swift detection and containment of pathogens, as demonstrated during the coronavirus pandemic. The ERC-funded NARRATE project aims to develop RNA aptamer-based sensors for rapid care tests. These sensors produce a fluorescent signal when a target molecule binds to their aptamer site. The test uses an affordable and scalable biotechnological production method, offering key benefits such as cost-effective production and versatility in detecting various analytes. The project intends to validate the sensors using the avian influenza virus, which is significant in veterinary medicine and poses a potential risk for human pandemics. The test meets the WHO’s ASSURED criteria.

Objective

Rapid care tests and patient-oriented bedsite testing, termed as point of care (POC) testing, have proven unanticipated relevance for the fast detection and containment of the pathogen in the course of the corona pandemic. We have developed RNA aptamer based sensors as a basis for a novel rapid care test. The sensor will give a florescent signal once the target molecule attaches to its aptameric site. The sensor as the main component of a novel POC test will be produced by a cheap and scalable biotechnological synthesis. The unique selling points of our invention are the cheap and scalable production of the sensor molecule and the high flexibility in terms of analytes that can be covered by aptamers.
To proof our concept and to demonstrate the applicability of our aptamer sensors we will choose the avian influenza virus as an use case, based on the high relevance of this disease in veterinary medicine and its perception as a high risk disease for the next human pandemic. Our test will comply with the ASSURED criteria of the WHO: affordability, sensitivity, specificity, user friendliness, rapid and robust, equipment-free and deliverable to end-users
Our aim is to establish a RNA aptamer based sensor as a basis for a cheap single-use test according to the ASSURED criteria. In this action, we will establish the applicability of our highly sensitive and selective RNA based sensor. We will devolop a prototype of a POC test and test the novel sensor principle under laboratory and environmental conditions. In addition, we will analyse the market and patent situation and the stepstones to be taken for an approval by the European authorities. We will finally establish our own IPR position as a basis for the further road-to-the-market.

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2023-POC

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Host institution

DWI LEIBNIZ-INSTITUT FUR INTERAKTIVE MATERIALIEN EV
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 150 000,00
Address
FORCKENBECKSTRASSE 50
52074 Aachen
Germany

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Region
Nordrhein-Westfalen Köln Städteregion Aachen
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

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