Project description
Leveraging 3D light diffraction via computational microscopy for biomarker detection
Changes in the concentrations of biomolecules circulating in the blood are indicative of metabolic processes relevant to health and disease. Reducing the cost, time and manual labour required to detect low concentrations of biomarkers could substantially expand access, improving disease diagnosis and monitoring and thus human health and quality of life. Funded by the European Research Council, the BioMarkerFlow project aims to optimise its fast, simple and accurate biomarker detection method based on computational microscopy, leveraging the so-called point spread function. The system will be optimised in the context of minimising the adverse effects of a cell-based cancer treatment, namely cytokine production, which can be debilitating and even life-threatening.
Objective
Detection of low concentrations of biomarkers, such as low-abundant proteins in physiological samples, is crucial for early-stage diagnosis and disease monitoring. However, existing detection methods are often laborious, costly, and time consuming, rendering them unsuitable for such applications. Based on advances in computational PSF engineering microscopy made during our ERC Starting Grant, and in combination with microfluidic design, we developed a simple and fast biomarker detection method which allows accurate and sensitive results with minimal hands-on sample processing, which we have validated for potential applicability in diagnostics, and specifically, for continuous monitoring.
As a target clinical application towards which we can optimize our engineering efforts, we demonstrate the potential for preventative diagnostics via a collaboration with Rambam Medical Center (Israel), focusing on monitoring cell-based cancer treatments. While cell-based therapies can be highly effective, they have introduced new types of cytokine-related adverse effects that can be debilitating and even life threatening. Due to the current lack of appropriate diagnostics for preventative treatment, these adverse effects are mitigated only when symptoms arise, which might be too late. We hypothesize that earlier detection using our method will enable preventive treatment and reduction in frequency and severity of these adverse events, transforming patient outcome. We will develop a multiplexed cytokine detection scheme that reaches clinically significant sensitivity, and assess the effectiveness of this approach by monitoring CAR-T patients. In the duration of the project, we will conduct a market research and develop regulation strategy with the aid of industrial and medical collaborations, advancing our diagnostic method toward commercialization.
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 proteins
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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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.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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) ERC-2023-POC
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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.
32000 Haifa
Israel
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.