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An optofluidic platform based on liquid-gradient refractive index microlens for the isolation and quantification of extracellular vesicles

Project description

A novel platform for extracellular vesicle isolation

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent an important communication pathway between cells and deliver various molecules, such as proteins, lipids and RNA. EVs are increasingly being recognised as promising disease biomarkers, but their characterisation and purification from biological samples is challenging and time-consuming. The key objective of the EU-funded MNSWLGM project is to develop an optofluidic platform with a size selection criterion for EV identification, sorting and fractionation. The platform is expected to overcome current technological limitations in EV research and pave the way for the utilisation of EVs in clinical diagnosis.

Objective

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) describe distinct populations of small (30-200 nm) and large (500 nm-2 μm)
microvesicles actively or passively secreted by cells. Whilst, they are recognized as promising biomarkers for
diseases diagnosis, prognosis and therapy, their purification, selective enrichment, and characterization remains
immensely challenging. The goal of the current proposal is to develop an optofluidic platform able to
manipulate and characterize single EVs and facilitate their efficient purification and quantitation from
biological samples. The optofluidic platform will incorporate a dynamically reconfigurable optical lattice
(constructed from a liquid gradient refractive index - L-GRIN microlens) for separation followed by a viscoelastic
focusing module for single EV imaging. The strength of the interaction between a nanoparticle and the optical
lattice will depend on the optical polarizability of the particle, thus providing a size selection criterion to allow
identification and isolation. Put simply, we aim to develop a size-selective optofluidic platform integrated for
non-invasive EVs sorting and fractionation that can be applied to a wide range of biological matrices and
addresses the most challenging technological bottleneck in EVs research.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017

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Coordinator

EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICH
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 187 419,60
Address
Raemistrasse 101
8092 Zuerich
Switzerland

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Zürich Zürich
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 187 419,60
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