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NanoTools for Ultra Fast DNA Sequencing

Objective

The demand for a next-generation of technologies for DNA sequencing that will provide fast and affordable DNA decoding is pressing. Present bio-chemical schemes are time consuming and expensive, thus cheap and fast alternatives for DNA “reading” are of great need. This is now internationally recognized. For example, the US NIH recently awarded 40M$ in grants overpiloting projects to spur development of these innovative technologies. The goal of this project is to investigate a novel single-molecule DNA se-quencing nanotechnology protocol (gene sequencer) that has potential to sequence a molecule of genomic dimensions in hours without expensive and fault sensitive DNA copying steps and chemical reactions. The gene sequencer is based on the electrical characterization of individual nucleo-bases, while DNA passes through a nanopore with integrated nanotube side-electrodes. The research proposed here will provide a unique combina-tion of state of the art capabilities for cutting and usage of single wall carbon nanotubes as electrodes forming a lithographically fabricated “nanogap” with single-nanometer precision. In addition, the synergy of consortium resources for electrical characterization and leading theoretical skills for nanotransport will provide new solutions and information for an answer on the proof-of-principle question: is it possible to detect different types of DNA bases by their electrical properties? The overall objective of our collaborative research is to develop cheap and high-speed DNA sequencing technology. This will be achieved trough the following steps: 1. Fabrication of single wall carbon nanotube junction-gate for molecular recognition; 2. Exploring the interaction and conduction mechanisms between DNA and nanotube-electrode and DNA-nanopore; 3. Electrical characterization of the DNA nucleobases; 4. Development of model nano-electronic device for single-base DNA electrical characterization and decoding.

Call for proposal

FP7-NMP-2007-SMALL-1
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Coordinator

INSTITUT ZA FIZIKU
Address
Pregrevica 118
11080 Beograd
Serbia

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Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Zikic Radomir (Dr.)
EU contribution
€ 420 600

Participants (6)

ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
Switzerland
EU contribution
€ 396 000
Address
Batiment Ce 3316 Station 1
1015 Lausanne

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
László Forró (Prof.)
THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM
Israel
EU contribution
€ 360 200
Address
Edmond J Safra Campus Givat Ram
91904 Jerusalem

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Eran Vardi (Dr.)
THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN
Ireland
EU contribution
€ 339 725
Address
College Green Trinity College
D02 CX56 Dublin 2

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Deirdre Savage (Ms.)
UNIVERSITAET REGENSBURG
Germany
EU contribution
€ 486 008
Address
Universitatsstrasse 31
93053 Regensburg

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Christian Blomeyer (Dr.)
NUWAVE SYSTEM LTD
United Kingdom
EU contribution
€ 61 400
Address
Percy Street 5 Office 4
W1T 1DG London

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Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Cvitanovic Nikola (Mr.)
KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIE
Germany
EU contribution
€ 106 992
Address
Kaiserstrasse 12
76131 Karlsruhe

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Claudia Sommer (Ms.)