Objective A novel analytical platform is proposed to detect and identify DNA at low concentration in a high throughput manner at the single molecule level.The potential impact of this research is significant and will result in single molecule detection becoming a mainstream tool within the medical diagnostics and analytical communities. 'Rare event' detection plays an important role in the early detection of illnesses and disease (e.g. cancers and bacterial infections). Using analytical technologies that exist today it is almost impossible to detect a single DNA strand within a standard blood sample (of a few mLs) within a reasonable time frame. The technology that will be developed within the current project will allow for such detection to be performed both rapidly and efficiently. If successful, the core technology described will become a mainstream analytical tool that will be of significant benefit within biomedical laboratories, hospitals, and clinics around the world.Specifically, chemical and semiconductor processing methods will be developed to define a novel approach to high throughput DNA quantification at the single molecule level. This innovative technology will function by introducing biological samples in micro- and nanofluidic chips and using electric fields to direct DNA strands through nanometre-sized pores on a membrane. Detection and sizing of the individual DNA strands (labelled with fluorophores) is then accomplished using confocal fluorescence spectroscopy.This new approach to high-throughput, single molecule DNA analysis harnesses the strengths of both analytical spectroscopy and silicon fabrication technology to allow the creation of hybrid devices in which molecular quantification can be realized. I expect this work to have major impact and open up new possibilities for nano-analytical tools in the chemical and biological sciences. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopyemission spectroscopymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologynatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivitynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-PE4 - ERC Starting Grant - Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences Call for proposal ERC-2011-StG_20101014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE EU contribution € 1 497 620,00 Address SOUTH KENSINGTON CAMPUS EXHIBITION ROAD SW7 2AZ LONDON United Kingdom See on map Region London Inner London — West Westminster Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Brooke Alasya (Ms.) Principal investigator Joshua Edel (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE United Kingdom EU contribution € 1 497 620,00 Address SOUTH KENSINGTON CAMPUS EXHIBITION ROAD SW7 2AZ LONDON See on map Region London Inner London — West Westminster Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Brooke Alasya (Ms.) Principal investigator Joshua Edel (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
