Obiettivo This project integrates the development of (a) bioconjugated silicon nanoparticles (NPs) as new, < 3nm, fluorescent probes and (b) dual-emission band fluorescent biosensors for protein conformation investigations to be applied in diagnostic procedures related to tumor biology and neurodegenerative diseases. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an important therapeutic target in a variety of tumors, particularly malignant gliomas where mutation and/or amplification of EGFR is often observed. The laboratory has demonstrated in a pilot study the specific binding of biomolecules conjugated to Quantum Dots to patient-derived glioma spheroids. High wavelength emitting QDs are necessary to distinguish binding from tissue autofluorescence but such QDs are large (~40 nm) and do not penetrate deeply into tissues or access cellular junctions. The project will develop smaller, more inert, and less toxic conjugated silicon nanoparticles that can ultimately be used for the detection of residual glioma cells in patients after surgical resection. Additionally, more complex composite nanoparticles that selectively internalize in the tumor cells will be investigated as vehicles for drug delivery or selective killing. The aggregation of proteins and peptides is a fundamental feature of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and spongiform encephalopathies. It is not clear whether the fibrillar aggregates or smaller forms of the implicated proteins are the cause of cytotoxicity. Both in vitro assays and in vivo studies are hampered by the lack of probes that can distinguish and quantitate early stages of the aggregation phenomenon. This project will develop fluorescent biosensors for protein folding on the basis of environment sensitive ratiometric dyes that exhibit dual emission. Such dyes are prospective tools for a development of facile and rapid assays for protein folding for application in diagnostics and drug screening assays. Campo scientifico engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsbiosensorsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologydementiaalzheimernatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsprotein foldingengineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materialsnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids Programma(i) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Argomento(i) PEOPLE-2007-4-2.IIF - Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships" Invito a presentare proposte FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-2-IIF Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento MC-IIFR - International incoming fellowships (Return phase) Coordinatore VINNYTSIA NATIONAL M.I. PYROGOV MEDICAL UNIVERSITY Contributo UE € 15 000,00 Indirizzo PIROGOV STREET 56 21018 VINNITSA Ucraina Mostra sulla mappa Tipo di attività Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Contatto amministrativo Andriy Tkach (Dr.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato