Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DiffusOMICS (A new technology to probe molecular interaction in cells at high throughput)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-04-01 al 2025-09-30
Protein aggregation and large complex formation are known to be fundamental for the progression of many neurological disorders. Studying such dynamic processes is therefore key for developing new drugs
and treatments to tackle imminent challenges in neuroscience and medicine. Despite the wide range of applications that benefit from the accurate readout of molecular interactions and dynamics, methods to unveil such processes in the native context and at high throughput
are scarce . This technological void forces researchers to use laborious methods to infer information on said mechanisms, frequently resorting to simplified model systems. This not only hinders the pace of
research and escalates costs but also runs the risk of overlooking potential interferences inherent in the native systems. Developing technologies and assays able to reveal protein-protein interaction and aggregation as
well as other types of structural alterations in a direct, robust, and cheap way inside relevant biological environments should therefore be a key focus of future neuroscience research.
In this project we provide a technological solution capable of measuring protein interactions directly in live neuronal cells and tissues, revealing selected protein n-meric states from oligomers to large complex aggregates.
and treatments to tackle imminent challenges in neuroscience and medicine. Despite the wide range of applications that benefit from the accurate readout of molecular interactions and dynamics, methods to unveil such processes in the native context and at high throughput
are scarce . This technological void forces researchers to use laborious methods to infer information on said mechanisms, frequently resorting to simplified model systems. This not only hinders the pace of
research and escalates costs but also runs the risk of overlooking potential interferences inherent in the native systems. Developing technologies and assays able to reveal protein-protein interaction and aggregation as
well as other types of structural alterations in a direct, robust, and cheap way inside relevant biological environments should therefore be a key focus of future neuroscience research.
In this project we provide a technological solution capable of measuring protein interactions directly in live neuronal cells and tissues, revealing selected protein n-meric states from oligomers to large complex aggregates.
In this project we invented, design and built a new technology capable to detect oligomers and their rotational dynamics.
The prototype set-up is up and running in the Testa laboratory.
With a completely new type of optical read-out we combined spatial selectivity with dynamic information for the study of proteins in living cells.
We demonstrated that our system can probe the dynamics of larger macromolecules and molecular complexes with spatial selectivity.
The target was expressed in neuronal cells showing great potential for neurodegenerative research.
Overall, the technology can be used for the screening or validation of new drugs for some of our most severe and costly public health challenges.
The research done is very much in agreement with the proposed objectives and included specifically:
WP1-2 Hardware and Software development and WP3 Proof of concept application in neuronal cells.
The prototype set-up is up and running in the Testa laboratory.
With a completely new type of optical read-out we combined spatial selectivity with dynamic information for the study of proteins in living cells.
We demonstrated that our system can probe the dynamics of larger macromolecules and molecular complexes with spatial selectivity.
The target was expressed in neuronal cells showing great potential for neurodegenerative research.
Overall, the technology can be used for the screening or validation of new drugs for some of our most severe and costly public health challenges.
The research done is very much in agreement with the proposed objectives and included specifically:
WP1-2 Hardware and Software development and WP3 Proof of concept application in neuronal cells.
Further research
With the prototype ready we are now extending the potential range of application by targeting different type of oligomers.
We initiated collaborative work on different neurodegenerative hallmark such as tau and aplha syn.
The next grand challenge is data handling and developing analysis tools to extract and correlate and integrate different quantitative information and physical parameters.
Access to markets and finance and commercialisation
Based on the results of this project we were selected for a Deep Tech Program at KTH and achieved funding to mantain the patent and reach the internationalization level.
With the prototype ready we are now extending the potential range of application by targeting different type of oligomers.
We initiated collaborative work on different neurodegenerative hallmark such as tau and aplha syn.
The next grand challenge is data handling and developing analysis tools to extract and correlate and integrate different quantitative information and physical parameters.
Access to markets and finance and commercialisation
Based on the results of this project we were selected for a Deep Tech Program at KTH and achieved funding to mantain the patent and reach the internationalization level.