Projektbeschreibung
Neue Mikroskopietechnologie könnte Wirkstoffentwicklung beschleunigen
Das Ziel des EU-finanzierten Projekts SMIMS lautet, das große Potenzial der interferometrischen Lichtstreuungsmikroskopie (interferometric scattering microscopy; iSCAT) für die Massenspektrometrie einzelner Biomoleküle in Lösung zu demonstrieren. Die Forschenden planen, einen nahezu marktreifen Prototyp anzufertigen und die erforderlichen Softwareänderungen umzusetzen, um nachzuweisen, dass die Technologie robust genug ist, um eine Risikokapitalfinanzierung für ein Spin-out-Unternehmen zu rechtfertigen. Mit diesem tragbaren Instrument werden Vor-Ort-Tests auf ein breites Spektrum an potenziellen Analyten und in vielen Umgebungen möglich. Eine neuartige, allgemein zugängliche Mikroskopietechnik könnte neue Möglichkeiten des Screenings potenzieller Wirkstoffkandidaten bieten und unser Wissen über Wirkstoffinteraktionen auf molekularer Ebene verbessern.
Ziel
We aim to demonstrate the disruptive commercial and societal potential of interferometric scattering microscopy for mass spectrometry of single biomolecules in solution. The PoC grant will be used to produce a near-market ready prototype and implement the required software modifications expected of a commercial device, to demonstrate that the technology is sufficiently robust to warrant venture capital funding for our spin-out company. Our early discussions with both pharma and instrument manufactueres have highlighted a need for more in-depth application of our technique. The novelty of our approach requires both demonstration and testing on a broad range of potential analytes and environments, which is why we require a portable instrument, that not only enables on-site testing, but also on-site demonstration in a non-university research environment. Similarly, there is a clear and pressing need to produce more intuitive and clearly commercially viable software to unlock the full potential of our technology. Data from these experiments will help define our final product(s) and to translate this research into a viable package for raising venture capital. The development of a novel, broadly accessible technology enables new avenues for screening potential drug candidates that could be used to further our understanding of drug interactions at the molecular level. The economic benefits will, therefore, be realised primarily through the pharmaceutical, healthcare and allied industries as well as the bioanalytical industry, through increased sales of instruments. All will have a considerable impact on the European economy. In addition to drug-discovery-related advances, our technology has the potential to transform cholesterol classification and change current approaches to cancer screening, through its intrinsic single molecule sensitivity.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discovery
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftware
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomolecules
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopy
- natural scienceschemical sciencesanalytical chemistrymass spectrometry
Programm/Programme
Thema/Themen
Finanzierungsplan
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept GrantGastgebende Einrichtung
OX1 2JD Oxford
Vereinigtes Königreich