Project description
Low-cost cancer biomarker detection
Biomarkers such as proteins are essential for diagnosing and monitoring cancer. Detecting them early enables timely intervention, yet most standard methods are costly, require expensive infrastructure and are not suitable for point-of-care use. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ProDNA-Nano project aims to address this gap by developing a cell-free platform for detecting cancer-related proteins rapidly and accurately. Upon protein binding, the system detects a conformational change in a DNA nanostructure which leads to the release or activation of a signal detectable via optical or electrochemical methods. This makes the system versatile and capable of sensitive biomarker quantification suitable for both laboratory and point-of-care applications.
Objective
WHY: The detection of specific proteins that are overexpressed in different types of cancers is critical for early diagnosis and targeted cancer screening. Existing methods for quantifying these clinically-relevant proteins, including the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), have the disadvantage of being a multi-step, reagent-intensive and laboratory-bound process which result in relatively high costs, limiting its applicability at the point of care. To overcome these limitations, new methods and approaches are urgently needed.
WHAT: ProDNA-Nano aims to address this need with the development and characterization of a general class of cell-free DNA-based systems that can be used to quantify different cancer-related proteins through electrochemical and optical methods to maximize the versatility and applicability of the technology. Specifically, the innovative cell-free system developed in this project couples the specificity of protein-ligand binding with the high sensitivity of RNA-based detection, thus providing a versatile and efficient platform for protein quantification. Moreover, the proposed system will allow to quantitatively measure different protein concentrations directly in biological media in an orthogonal fashion, with reduced complexity and cost and rapid turnaround time. The modular nature of the system will also allow its adaptation to a wide range of targets, thus making it a versatile nucleic acid-based tool.
HOW: Through a multidisciplinary approach, I will receive training in molecular biology, optical/electrochemical biosensors, and DNA nanotechnology. Prof. Ricci's group at the University of Rome Tor Vergata (UNITOV) offers extensive expertise in these areas, being at the forefront of DNA nanotechnology and biosensors development. Thanks to this MSC Fellowship, I will diversify my scientific knowledge and acquire cutting-edge competences as well as complementary skills, which will become the foundation of my scientific independence.
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.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors biosensors
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
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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.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
00133 Roma
Italy
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.