Objective
In order to advance single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy to the next level, handling and analysis of single molecules has to become broadly available. A further quantum leap is required to proceed to commercially successful applications such as drug screening and medical diagnostics.
In this project, I suggest a strategy to overcome the fundamental gap between the nanomolar concentration regime of current optical single-molecule spectroscopy and the nano- to millimolar dissociation constants of typical biomolecular interactions. I will use nano-apertures, which confine the detection to sub-attoliter volumes and allow single-molecule studies at elevated concentrations. To overcome unspecific binding and deteriorated fluorescence signals in the nano-apertures, I will use tailor-made DNA nanostructures produced by DNA origami. These nanostructures will match the nano-apertures like a plug in a socket. Inserting molecules at programmed positions in the nanostructures will open up a new realm of applications by the ability to immobilize exactly one molecule per nano-aperture and by obtaining comparable signals from every nano-aperture. I will spectroscopically characterize the nano-apertures creating a fluorescence map of their inside. I will exemplarily use the new abilities for previously impossible applications such as several folds improvement of single-molecule DNA sequencing, direct single-molecule RNA sequencing by reverse transcriptase for cancer screening, for paralleled drug screening of HIV protease inhibitors and for studying the chemomechanical coupling of single helicases.
In summary, I envision a broadly applicable platform that has the potential to become a golden standard by enabling both ground breaking fundamental research and commercial applications.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy emission spectroscopy
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases RNA viruses HIV
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA transcriptomes
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
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.
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.
ERC-2010-StG_20091118
See other projects for this call
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.
Host institution
38106 BRAUNSCHWEIG
Germany
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.