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Content archived on 2024-05-29

Nano biotechnologies for health application (Nano Biotech)

Objective

Specific Objectives

1. To produce polymer surfaces (buffer layers) with a controlled level of functionalisation (amine & carboxyl groups) as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy;
2. To identify the effect of morphological patterning on protein adsorption and activity;
3. To obtain preliminary results on the identification of the effect of chemical patterning on protein adsorption and activity. Anticipated milestones and schedule Organosilicon buffer layer - Plasma reactors operational - end Feb 2003 - Organosilicon layer plasma deposition: production of controlled functionalities - end July 2003 - Organosilicon layer plasma etching: development of masking techniques and micropattern shape control - Dec 2003 Development of specific protein solutions and chemistry - definition of procedure for protein solution preparation - Sept 2003 - Definition of protocol for protein adsorption studies - July 2003 - Protein adsorption kinetics on organosilicon layers - Dec 2003.
Planned Deliverables:
Organosilicon buffer layer deposition and etching parametric study Preliminary results on protein adsorption kinetics on patterned surfaces. Achievement of the above technical deliverables will also result in: 4 peer-reviewed publications, 2 technical reports provision of training of 7 PhD & post-doctoral staff hosting of 5 scientists from Candidate Countries.
Summary of the Action:
The present project proposes the development of hybrid bio surfaces that interact specifically with biological systems and accurately turn on biological processes such as healing. The hybrid bio-material thus consists in combination of an integrated inorganic and organic materials and tissues which adjust the reaction of the surface when implanted in a living environment. The hypothesis is that these precision engineered surfaces must be designed and constructed at the nano or molecular level, and that the materials must minimize non-specific interactions that lead to uncontrolled responses. The specific objective of this activity is to incorporate molecular triggers into the bio surfaces, in concert with the construction of appropriate porosities and physical features (nano-patterning) that control biomechanical and biochemical properties, so that the hybrid surfaces will produce specific cellular or biochemical responses. This requires a controlled orientation, adsorption and function of proteins and cells on surfaces. For that purpose, we propose the use of nanopatterns on surfaces, that lead to a preferable orientation of the cells as well as a regulation of their shape: surface patterning can be chemical, topographical or both. It is realized for instance with physical masks or lithographic patterns such as those produced in the microelectronic industry. The present project proposes a systematic study of the influence of chemical and topographic pattern on protein adsorption and its application in the field of biomaterials, tissue engineering and biosensors.

The applications of the results lie the biomaterials fields (medical implants, scaffolds for tissue engineering) as well as biosensors (immunoaffinity biosensors), for which the combination of functional layers together with topographical and chemical nanopatterning offer enormous prospects. The general aims of the action are: to develop nanofunctional surfaces with specific biological activity allowing controlled biological response to contribute to the validation of methods to ensure safety, quality and reliability of medical devices and biological systems (including surface science for tissue engineering, nano-strucutured surfaces) to contribute to the development of the new generation of biosensors Rationale R&D investment worldwide by government organizations in the field of Nanotechnologies (NT) has increased by a factor of 3.5 between 1997 and 2001, and the highest rate of 90% is in 2001. At least 30 countries have initiated or are beginning national activities in this field. Scientists have opened a broad net of discoveries that will have major impacts on physical, biological, and engineering sciences and ultimately on society as a whole. Many issues related to the development of NT are barely known; they relate to environment, health, and security. In particular, they pose completely new technical, safety and ethical problems. This action will strategically engage the JRC in activities that will progressively bring it up to date with current developments, evolving technologies and future perspectives in this area.

It will involve the cooperation between different Units of JRC and uses a combination of competence and installations unique in Europe, such as the surface characterisation and processing facilities, competence in vitro studies, and chemical analysis equipment (NMR). br> This is a horizontal activity that will lead to the production of certified reference materials for in vitro studies, testing and the development of analysis techniques of pollutants for environment monitoring, and bioosensors for food analysis." This action will be done in close collaboration with partners having specific external competencies (lithography, enzyme and Ab's chemistry, clinical trials) in both Member States and Candidate Countries. It will build on the collaborations initiated in FP5 and will be complemented by appropriate participation in a relevant integrated project and network of excellence involving more than 80 partners from EU and Candidate Countries.

Call for proposal

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Institute for Health and Consumer Protection
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