Project description
Pioneering label-free optical microscopy leveraging total internal reflection
Understanding how biomolecules behave requires the ability to watch them in motion dynamically. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the NanoMassPhotometry project aims to develop a pioneering label-free optical microscopy approach to visualise biomolecules in solution with unprecedented detection ability and molecular resolution. To do so, the team will rely on ‘total internal reflection’ to boost optical contrast and suppress background signatures. This phenomenon will be employed for the first time in interferometric microscopy. The resulting technology has the potential to be superior to state-of-the-art mass photometry, opening the door to previously inaccessible studies that can be done using single-molecule mass measurement.
Objective
We aim to develop a novel label-free optical microscopy approach to transform our ability to characterize and quantify biomolecular dynamics and interactions at the single small-molecule level. The core of the technology, termed rotating total internal reflection mass photometry (RoMP), rests on delivering a step change in label-free detection and quantification of light scattering from individual biomolecules in solution. We will achieve this by leveraging the advantages of total internal reflection to boost optical contrast, and suppress background signatures. This will be enabled for the first time in the context of interferometric microscopy through the use of a specifically-designed optical attenuation optic. Compared to the state-of-the-art Mass Photometry (MP), RoMP will transform the quantitative detection limit and improve mass resolution from ~50 kDa to 10 kDa and from 20 kDa to 2 kDa, respectively. These advances will dramatically expand the range and identity of studies that can be performed by single molecule mass measurement, representing an advance comparable to the change in resolution from 15 to 1.5 Angstrom in cryo-electron microscopy over the past decade. The interdisciplinary and complementary aspects foster two-way transfer of optical nano-imaging knowledge between the applicant (illumination-modulated fluorescence microscopy) and the host (detection-modulated label-free mass microscopy), ultimately catalyzing innovative biochemical investigations and their application by a broad user base for maximum impact.
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
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
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)
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.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
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-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.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom
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.