Objective
Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are often missed at first presentation because their symptoms mimic common gastrointestinal or inflammatory conditions. NETSPY addresses this gap by developing a dual-mode electrogravimetric biosensor that detects the established NET biomarkers Chromogranin A and B (CgA, CgB), while distinguishing them from non-specific inflammatory signals (CRP) measured in routine work-ups. The platform will be built on a custom electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) chip fabricated in the Tyndall/UCC cleanroom. To amplify electron transfer, an ultrathin high-entropy spinel oxide (HESO) film will be coated on the gold electrode. Aptamers for CgA/CgB (newly designed in this project) will be labelled with methylene blue to enable folding-gated electrochemical readout, while the QCM channel will report the label-free mass change. This orthogonal pairing underpins a Dual-Mode Differential Diagnosis (D3) logic: NET markers yield both frequency drop and electrochemical signal, whereas inflammatory interferents yield frequency drop with minimal electrochemical change, enabling practical serum discrimination. Outputs include prototype chips, SOPs for surface assembly, and open datasets/software. NETSPY will deliver a compact, minimally invasive route to earlier NET triage, and a generalizable blueprint for multi-marker point-of-care sensing in rare cancers. Dissemination will include high-impact publications, conference presentations, workshops with patient groups, and collaboration with Rare Cancers Europe. I will strengthen expertise in nanomaterials and biosensing at Tyndall, gain skills in aptamer design, FAIR data, and benefit from interdisciplinary supervision and UCC training resources. These activities will consolidate my independence and prepare me for national transition schemes (Research Ireland Pathway, Enterprise Ireland) and later EIC Transition/Accelerator calls.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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-2025-PF
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.
T12 YN60 Cork
Ireland
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.