Objective
Being able to detect and track a single molecule with light is a capability that has revolutionized science. Developed over 30 years ago, single-molecule spectroscopy is now foundational to many fields. It allows us to understand the inner workings of enzymes, which is critical for drug development, and to study the key steps of chemical reactions, which helps advance industrial processes. This approach is also the basis for modern nucleic acid sequencing, a cornerstone of personalized medicine and disease diagnosis. The technique's enormous scientific and societal impact was recognized with the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Despite its success, this technology has clear limitations that have held back further progress. Most methods rely on fluorescent tags, which can alter a molecule's natural behavior and introduce measurement errors. Label-free methods, which are preferred, are typically either too slow or cannot determine a molecule's chemical identity. Currently, no label-free optical technique can identify individual molecules faster than a millisecond—a speed that is too slow for studying fast chemical dynamics or performing rapid molecular sequencing. This technological gap has stalled advances in key areas like enzymatic catalysis and genomic screening. In this program, we develop MetaCARS, a new molecular sensing technology that can identify and monitor individual molecules at the microsecond scale, accelerating the state-of-the-art by more than three orders of magnitude. By combining the latest advances in nonlinear Raman spectroscopy and nanophotonics, this new approach opens the next chapter in single-molecule research. We will conceptualize, build, and validate the MetaCARS technology and apply it to follow the rapid reaction dynamics of unlabeled, single proteins for the first time.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC 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-2025-ADG
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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.
75794 Paris
France
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.