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Janus Graphene supported Single atom catalysts for ultrasensitive cytokine point of care sensors

Project description

New biosensor approach for cytokine detection

Cytokines, such as TNF-α, are key biomarkers for diagnosing conditions like Alzheimer’s, sepsis, and cancer. Current methods, such as ELISA and PCR, are costly and complex, necessitating improvements in real-time sensitivity and affordability. The EU-funded RESPONSE project will develop an approach that combines Janus graphene derivatives (JGDs) and single atom catalysts (SACs) for Point-of-Care (POC) biosensors targeting cytokine detection. The project will use functionalised JGDs as signal transducers on a paper lateral flow electrochemical sensor (LFES) and as carriers for the cytokine bioreceptor. It focuses on affordability, POC readiness, and commercialisation potential, offering a pathway to shift from symptom-focused, late-stage diagnostics to next-generation, prognostic biomarker-guided preventative or therapeutic treatment management.

Objective

Cytokines, such as TNF-α, hold immense significance as protein biomarkers, pivotal for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic management across various clinical disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, sepsis, and cancer. Nonetheless, prevailing techniques like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) prove to be expensive, time-intensive, and reliant on specialized personnel, intricate instrumentation, and infrastructure. Furthermore, the performance of present biosensing techniques necessitates refinements in terms of real-time outcomes, sensitivity, affordability, and user-friendliness. Within this context, the RESPONSE project sets out to forge an innovative approach, intertwining Janus graphene derivatives (JGDs) and Single Atom Catalysts (SACs), or atozymes, for Point-Of-Care (POC) biosensors for cytokine detection. This undertaking involves the strategic utilization of selectively and densely functionalized JGDs, serving dual roles: i) as signal transducer immobilized on a paper lateral flow electrochemical sensor (LFES), and carrying the cytokine bioreceptor (primary/capture antibody; Ab1) and ii) as signal amplifier JGDs, housing the SACs and the secondary/signal antibody (Ab2), which binds to a different epitope of cytokine. The binding between TNF-α and JGDs-Ab1 initiates the sandwich formation with SAC-JGDs-Ab2 complex at the test region. Here, the SACs catalyze the oxidation of an appropriate reporter molecule, liberating electrons and thereby significantly amplifying the signal output which can be quantified through an integrated electrode system. REPSONSE offers affordability, point of care readiness and commercialization potential. Importantly, RESPONSE’s strategy defines the blueprint for transitioning from the current, symptom-focused and late-stage diagnosis to the next-generation prognostic biomarker-guided preventative or therapeutic treatment management, and improve life-quality of millions of people worldwide.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

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

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-TALENTS-02

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Coordinator

UNIVERZITA PALACKEHO V OLOMOUCI
Net EU contribution
€ 166 278,72
Address
KRIZKOVSKEHO 8
771 47 Olomouc
Czechia
Region
Česko Střední Morava Olomoucký kraj
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
No data

Partners (1)