Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Ultra-sensitive Field-resolved Infrared Spectroscopy for Early Disease Detection

Project description

Enabling technologies improve molecular fingerprinting for early disease detection

Changes in the molecular composition of biofluids are indicative of health status. Recently, the concept of molecular fingerprinting of individuals via their blood samples has gained growing interest as a potential multiomics-based method of health monitoring and early disease detection. Although field-resolved infrared spectroscopy has achieved remarkable detection sensitivity for this use case, its sensitivity must reach single nanogram per millilitre sensitivity and long-term stability must be improved. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the UFRISED project aims to overcome these challenges with an ultra-fast multi-kilohertz-delay scanning system, super-octave-spanning field-resolved infrared detection, and an ultra-rapid referencing scheme for standardisation of the infrared molecular fingerprints and long-term reproducibility.

Objective

"Early detection is one of the most effective ways to improve the survival rate for diseases like cancer. However, current diagnoses often rely on invasive procedures and specialized tests, posing challenges for regular monitoring.
Field-resolved infrared spectroscopy, which probes the ""molecular fingerprint"" of human blood, has achieved remarkable detection sensitivity by combining ultrafast laser technology with electric-field infrared detection. Despite its potential, the technique has yet to meet the stringent requirements of early screening, including single nanogram per millilitre sensitivity, 10^12 dynamic range, and long-term stability.
The proposed project — 'Ultra-sensitive field-resolved infrared spectroscopy for early disease detection' aims to overcome these challenges by developing a ground-breaking instrument for field-resolved infrared fingerprinting of human blood plasma samples and demonstrate its performance for health monitoring. In particular, the researcher intends to develop: (i) a multi-kHz delay scanning system based on two Cr:ZnS lasers, synchronized down to single-femtosecond timing precision which aims to record measurements faster than most laser noise contributions, (ii) super-octave-spanning field-resolved infrared detection with a dynamic range exceeding 10^12, and (iii) an ultra-rapid referencing scheme that simultaneously records reference infrared electric fields with the measurement to realize standardization of the infrared molecular fingerprints and the long-term reproducibility.
By addressing these limitations, the project will achieve unprecedented levels of sensitivity, dynamic range and stability. It provides an avenue for analyzing serum and plasma samples across a wide range of individuals and time frames, potentially uncovering spectral markers for different diseases. The system will be a minimally invasive and cost-effective method of early disease detection to improve patient prognosis and overall healthcare outcomes."

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.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

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.

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.

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.

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN 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.

€ 189 687,36
Address
HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany

See on map

Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

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.

No data
My booklet 0 0