Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DNASURF (Molecular diagnostics through DNA modification and interfacial engineering)
Reporting period: 2017-12-01 to 2019-11-30
The DNASURF network aims to develop novel methods for diagnosis of diseases with a genetic element, such as cancers or pathogen-induced infections. The overall objective is to produce miniature devices that can detect low levels of disease-related DNA to facilitate early diagnosis and monitoring of spread of infection. This allows for early treatment of the disease to prolong life and reduce suffering of patients. To achieve this objective, the network combines the knowledge and expertise of a diverse yet complementary set of international researchers. DNASURF recognises the rapid pace of change in the DNA diagnostics market and aims to introduce advances by evolving novel solutions using under-explored chemistries and detection modalities. Advanced knowledge in DNA synthesis, nanotechnology, interfacial engineering, and microsystems research is integrated in new ways to provide novel diagnostic solutions.
From the beginning of the project, the European groups have worked with the international partners to combine materials and methods in new ways, particularly by exploiting unique technologies that had been implemented by the international partners.
The groups from Newcastle and Birmingham Universities in the UK have synthesised DNA with specific functionalities that have been integrated with electronic and plasmonic materials at Hokkaido University in Japan and at the National University of Singapore. One joint synthesis paper has been published, and papers on the optical and conductive properties of the functional systems are in preparation. Such properties are exploitable for detection of low concentrations of DNA which is an important aim of the project. A related technique is electrochemical detection of biomolecules which has been studied by the group from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with colleagues in Singapore. The Newcastle group has also worked with Western Sydney University to study the interaction with DNA of metal complexes that are fluorescent probes, which provides yet another detection modality. Another focus has been attachment of DNA to different surfaces such as glass, nobel metals, and graphene which act as active substrates and, as well as the Newcastle group, the group from the University of the Basque Country has worked with Hokkaido University and National University of Singapore in this area. Papers from these research efforts are in preparation. The group of the Basque Country has also started to combine their expertise in microsystems with that of colleagues at Brigham Young University who have developed methods for 3D printing of microfluidics that greatly surpasses what is commercially available. The Newcastle group has gained knowledge of the design and operation of microfluidic systems, and this will be applied to miniaturization of synthesis of functional DNA.
Since nearly all the groups in the network are new collaborators, these first two years of the project have been largely exploratory. As a result, some prospective projects such as solid state nanopore sequencing have not proven their feasibility, but many joint efforts have progressed faster than anticipated and are providing important directions for new investigations in the second half of the project.
The groups from Newcastle and Birmingham Universities in the UK have synthesised DNA with specific functionalities that have been integrated with electronic and plasmonic materials at Hokkaido University in Japan and at the National University of Singapore. One joint synthesis paper has been published, and papers on the optical and conductive properties of the functional systems are in preparation. Such properties are exploitable for detection of low concentrations of DNA which is an important aim of the project. A related technique is electrochemical detection of biomolecules which has been studied by the group from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with colleagues in Singapore. The Newcastle group has also worked with Western Sydney University to study the interaction with DNA of metal complexes that are fluorescent probes, which provides yet another detection modality. Another focus has been attachment of DNA to different surfaces such as glass, nobel metals, and graphene which act as active substrates and, as well as the Newcastle group, the group from the University of the Basque Country has worked with Hokkaido University and National University of Singapore in this area. Papers from these research efforts are in preparation. The group of the Basque Country has also started to combine their expertise in microsystems with that of colleagues at Brigham Young University who have developed methods for 3D printing of microfluidics that greatly surpasses what is commercially available. The Newcastle group has gained knowledge of the design and operation of microfluidic systems, and this will be applied to miniaturization of synthesis of functional DNA.
Since nearly all the groups in the network are new collaborators, these first two years of the project have been largely exploratory. As a result, some prospective projects such as solid state nanopore sequencing have not proven their feasibility, but many joint efforts have progressed faster than anticipated and are providing important directions for new investigations in the second half of the project.
The progress of the project beyond the state of the art has been a result of the synergistic combination and integration of the knowledge and expertise of the groups in the network. As a result, novel findings have been obtained about the conductive, fluorescent, and plasmonic properties of DNA and its functional assemblies, about the behaviour of DNA on different surfaces, and about methods for control of biochemical and biophysical processes in microfluidic systems. Through the second half of the project, we expect that these findings on individual systems will be increasingly integrated into devices and kits for detection of specific DNA sequences, and thus devices that have potential for exploitation and taking to market. We also expect that the remit of the devices will be widened, since we have already been encourages to think about their use in areas not initially considered in the project, such as food security.