Description du projet
Saut quantique dans la méthodologie de séquençage de l’ADN
La technologie de séquençage de nouvelle génération (NGS) a véritablement révolutionné la biologie moléculaire, permettant une analyse à haut débit des acides nucléiques en une fraction du temps auparavant nécessaire. Le NGS soutient la médecine personnalisée car il peut être utilisé pour diagnostiquer des maladies génétiques. Néanmoins, dans le cadre clinique, la séquence du génome entier d’un patient doit souvent être obtenue en quelques heures seulement. Pour répondre à ce besoin non satisfait, le projet MaMs3, financé par l’UE, a mis au point des électrodes spécifiques capables de faire progresser la technologie NGS en termes d’efficacité et de rapidité. Cette amélioration devrait également rendre la mise en œuvre du NGS plus rentable dans le diagnostic de routine.
Objectif
Within the ERC Starting Grant project M&M´s we have developed several innovative fabrication and integration technologies for nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). In one of these research activities, our ERC team has invented and demonstrated a new methodology for parallel fabrication of electrically conductive electrode pairs separated by sub-2 nm wide gaps, enabling unprecedented fabrication of millions of such nanogap electrodes. To the best of our knowledge, there is no alternative technology available with comparable capabilities.
We have identified next generation DNA sequencing using electron tunneling detection as a high-impact application that could be enabled by our nanogap electrode fabrication methodology. Sequencing of the genome of individual patients is vital to realize the potential of truly personalized medicine. However, current DNA sequencing technologies are still too slow and expensive for sequencing genomes for healthcare practice on a large scale. There is, therefore a critical need for a new sequencing platform that has the potential to sequence the full human genome within 1 hour for less than €100. DNA sequencing based on electron tunneling detection (quantum sequencing) is one of the most promising next-generation sequencing technologies that could reach this target. However, there currently is no technology available to fabricate, in a scalable fashion, large numbers of electrode pairs with 1-2 nm wide gaps that are integrated in nanopores. As a possible solution to this problem, our nanogap electrode methodology is addressing a potential multi-billion € market.
In this ERC-PoC project we will develop business and IPR strategies for commercial exploitation of our nanogap electrode methodology. Furthermore, we will develop initial proof-of-concept demonstrations of DNA detection events using nanogap electrode devices, which will be important for attracting interest from industry and possible investors.
Champ scientifique
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept GrantInstitution d’accueil
100 44 Stockholm
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