Project description
DNA nanotechnology for improved diabetes management
The rapid advancement of sensing technologies requires biosensors capable of continuous monitoring in a single-step process. The performance of available biosensors is hampered by the binding strength of the molecular recognition unit, which limits the dynamic range of the sensor and is often connected to the signal output. The EU-funded GlucOrigami project proposes to decouple the molecular recognition and signal transduction units of the biosensor, using self-assembled and programmable DNA origami nanostructures. The solution will be demonstrated by the model of a glucose biosensor for disease monitoring in diabetic patients, with the DNA origami used to accurately position all biosensor elements: a multifluorophore pair as a signal transduction and amplification unit, and glucose/galactose binding proteins as a molecular recognition unit.
Objective
Biosensors play a crucial role in our everyday lives from health monitoring to disease detection. The rapid advancement of sensing technologies dictates an ever growing need for improved biosensors which are capable to continuously monitor analytes in a single-step process and yield low-cost devices. The performance of many biosensors is, however, limited by the binding strength of their molecular recognition unit which dictates the dynamic range of the sensor and is often tightly connected to the signal transduction unit, i.e. its signal output. In this project, I propose to globally solve this limitation by decoupling the molecular recognition and signal transduction units of the biosensor by exploiting self-assembled and programmable DNA origami nanostructures. This fundamental approach will be demonstrated by the design of a sensitive and tunable biosensor for glucose, whose sensing is of utmost importance for the disease monitoring of diabetic patients. DNA origami will be utilized to precisely position all biosensor elements: multifluorophore FRET pair, which will serve as a signal transduction and amplification unit as well as glucose/galactose binding proteins and glucose functionalities, which will provide a molecular recognition unit. Different biomimicry strategies to tune the useful dynamic range of the biosensors will be evaluated aiming to achieve sensitivity at a physiologically relevant glucose concentration. Finally, the potential to combine these advanced glucose biosensors with low-cost read-out instruments (such as smartphone cameras) will be assessed. The DNA origami glucose sensor proposed here is of great promise for the development of wearable and low-cost glucose sensing devices for diabetes monitoring, which will grow into a large demand in our society. Moreover, it will allow me to merge DNA nanotechnology, molecular biology, spectroscopy and chemistry research, laying the foundations upon which to build my future career in Europe.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors biosensors
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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.
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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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.