Project description
Technologies based on molecular imprinting detect protein biomarkers in cancer
Following translation, proteins undergo post-translational modification (PTM) to expand their functional diversity and regulate their structure, localisation, activity, and interactions within cells. PTMs come in the form of small chemical groups added to amino acid residues, and some seem to correlate with tumour growth and progression. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BioCapture project aims to develop smart materials in the form of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and MIP-based assays for detecting cancer-associated protein biomarkers and analysing PTMs in proteins. Project results will have a significant impact on healthcare by enabling earlier and more reliable disease diagnosis as well as by facilitating faster target and biomarker identification in drug discovery efforts.
Objective
The overall objective of BioCapture is to develop novel robust assays for proteinaceous biomarkers associated with cancer
and to develop innovative tools for assaying elusive cancer related posttranslational modifications in proteins. This will be
achieved by exploiting robust glycan, peptide and protein binders in the form of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) or plastic antibodies alongside generic enrichment combined with selected reaction monitoring-based mass spectrometry assays. In addition, sequence specific MIPs for multiple proteotypic peptides will be developed for use as capture phases in array format followed by MS or fluorescence based readout as well as a coupling of both detection techniques. The artificial receptors will be developed by various Molecular Imprinting techniques. The research results will lead to technological advances having a major impact on 1) health care since it will profit from methods for earlier, more reliable diagnosis of diseases, 2) drug discovery allowing a faster target or biomarker identification; and 3) biochemistry research laboratories in resulting in improved protein fractionation tools for revealing low abundant post translational modifications. The training of researchers will be performed by a consortium consisting of in total 15 partners whereof 6 polymer/materials research groups, 5 protein/glycan chemistry/analysis groups, 1 separation technology companies, 2 expert groups on platforms for multiplex analysis and one diagnostic company. This forms the basis for a very exciting interdisciplinary training program. Thus 11 early stage researchers (ESRs) working on specific tasks within five work packages will follow a rich training program providing a well-balanced spectrum of scientific, business and entrepreneurial skills.
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discovery
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologylung cancer
- natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciences
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculescarbohydrates
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologyleukemia
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training NetworksCoordinator
205 06 Malmoe
Sweden