The project made important progress in demonstrating the potential of a new method for identifying biomolecules, particularly single nucleotides, using an innovative combination of low-cost nanopores and ultra-fast Raman spectroscopy based on SPAD cameras. Although the technology is still in an early stage and requires further improvements in several areas, initial results are very promising. Key achievements include the successful detection of individual biomolecules with good sensitivity and the ability to distinguish different molecular types through their unique spectral signatures.
Importantly, the developed system shows strong potential not just for DNA analysis but also for broader applications such as RNA, proteins, and small molecules. Moreover, it will be suitable for real-world applications due to its cost-effectiveness, robustness, and compatibility with biological environments. With continued advancements, the technology could even contribute to complex tasks like protein sequencing and modification analysis in the future.
Not only the project reached results that are beyond the state of the art, but it also laid the foundation for future progress by realizing and providing computational and simulation tools that have been used to identify the main parameters which might play a major role during the molecule sequencing dynamics, as well as to accurately identify bases in very noisy datasets thanks to advanced machine learning algorithms. This toolbox will be essential to further progress beyond the ProID project.
The consortium has been also very active in dissemination activities and especially in publishing scientific results related to ProID in several open-access publications. In total, the consortium has already published 24 peer-reviewed publications and others are currently under review.
The project dissemination and communication activities began promptly since project start with a series of dissemination and communication activities released on National newspapers, TV programs, social media networks and the partners institutions webpages. A project graphic identity has been defined together with a website, that represents the main dissemination tool for ProID related news and results.
The consortium has organized the EsaX 2024 Workshop, Extreme Sensing and Chirality International Workshop in Cetraro, Italy, from September 29 - October 3, 2024. This event was focused on innovations related to molecule sensing and was thus perfectly in line with the technological objectives of the ProID project. The event has successfully gathered experts from all over the world that presented their latest cutting-edge results on topics very close to ProID ideas.
The consortium has been very active also on protecting the project results, submitting 3 patent applications strictly related to the ProID results and outcome. They confirm the high level and quality of exploitable results obtained in the action.
