Objective
Early cancer detection remains a critical unmet medical need, as most diagnostic technologies only identify tumours after macroscopic lesions have formed. Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1/2) produce the oncometabolite D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG), an early biochemical marker detectable in blood and urine. Current detection methods rely on chromatographic or enzymatic assays that require complex equipment, extensive sample preparation, and often struggle with sensitivity at very low concentrations. Q-SENSE-EDO introduces a novel diagnostic approach based on quantum-engineered molecular sensing. Instead of measuring fluorescence intensity or relying on genomic amplification, the proposal aims to detect biological targets by observing changes in excited-state dynamics within molecular systems. The interaction between D-2HG and a specially engineered molecular interface is expected to cause measurable changes in excited-state lifetime, vibronic coherence, and non-radiative decay pathways. These perturbations can be measured using time-resolved optoelectronic readouts, offering a physics-based sensing mechanism. The project builds on discoveries from the ERC Advanced Grant EXCITED, which demonstrated the ability to engineer molecular sensitizers with controlled excited-state dynamics and coherent photophysical behaviour. Q-SENSE-EDO will translate these findings into a proof-of-concept diagnostic platform by developing biofunctional quantum-coherent dyes, characterising their interaction with D-2HG using multidimensional time-resolved spectroscopy, and implementing a simplified lifetime-based classification model compatible with clinical instruments. If successful, Q-SENSE-EDO will define quantum-state perturbation as a new biosensing principle, opening a technological frontier at the intersection of quantum chemistry, photonics, and biomedical diagnostics while establishing a robust intellectual property portfolio for quantum-enabled sensing technologies.
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.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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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-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept 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-2026-POC
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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.
43007 Tarragona
Spain
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.