Nanozymes POC

Project Information

Nanozymes POC

Grant agreement ID: 790400

DOI

10.3030/790400

Project closed

EC signature date 20 March 2018

Start date 1 July 2018

End date 30 June 2019

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 148 646,00

EU contribution

€ 148 646,00

Coordinated by

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Nanozymes POC (Nanozymes POC)

Reporting period: 2018-07-01 to 2019-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

We are developing a new ultra-sensitive biosensing technology for use in portable rapid diagnostic devices. Specifically, we are developing enzyme-mimicking nanoparticles for signal amplification in a lateral flow assay for HIV p24 protein. These nanoparticles are thermally stable and inexpensive to produce. We have shown that our system can achieve a minimum detection limit of 0.78 pg/mL, substantially lower than the best available commercial kits, which typically operate in the 25-50 pg/mL regime. This grant has assisted us to continue to develop our technology towards real-world applications by continuing to optimise the performance and longevity of the components and continue to evaluate the robustness of our system in a diverse set of real clinical samples. The socioeconomic impact of HIV and AIDS remains devastatingly high, particularly in less economically developed countries within Africa. Effective and rapid diagnosis is key to treatment on the individual and population level. The rapid diagnostics market had a monetary value of $18.7 billion in 2017 and is projected to grow to $28.9 billion by 2023.