Redefining mass spectrometry – a breakthrough platform for real-time noninvasive breath analysis with single ion detection of intact viruses and bacteria and post-analysis molecular characterization

Objective

The extraordinary ability of the coronavirus to spread in the environment has established the Covid-19 pandemic as the biggest challenge humanity faces in the XXI century. Covid-19 attacks humans regardless of age, claiming the life of over 8,000 people in a single day, with a devastating death toll exceeding 350,000 in just a few months. The virus is likely to survive for the foreseeable future and disperse further, requiring long-term planning and investment in developing means of detection, protection and cure. Protective measures based on monitoring the dispersion of the coronavirus in the environment and fast screening of individuals has become paramount for ensuring safety of our ageing population and restarting/supporting the worldwide economy. The objective of the ARIADNE project is to develop a multiple-stage analytical platform based on multi-dimensional mass spectrometry instrumentation. Performing direct and instant detection of intact virus particles in breath and in water, and going far beyond that task, this unique analytical platform will push the scientific boundaries in all aspects of analytical sciences centered on mass spectrometry, incorporating a series of potentially disruptive technologies integrated into a single system. ARIADNE integrates state-of-the-art technological advancements in breath sampling and post-ionization methods, new analytical tools for characterization of the protein content of viruses by top-down mass spectrometry, non-destructive ultra-high mass analysis of single particles followed by their soft landing and further processing based on advanced single proteomic workflows. A compact and simplified version of this versatile and powerful analytical platform is also envisaged for advancing the field of real-time breath analytics. Applications extending the analytical capabilities of the system to new viruses, intact bacteria as well as whole human cells will also become accessible.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › microbiology › virology
• natural sciences › biological sciences › microbiology › bacteriology
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › analytical chemistry › mass spectrometry
• medical and health sciences › health sciences › infectious disease › RNA virus › coronavirus

Programme(s)

• H2020-EU.1.2.1. - FET Open

Topic(s)

• FETOPEN-01-2018-2019-2020 - FET-Open Challenging Current Thinking

Call for proposal

H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2020-01
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

RIA - Research and Innovation action

Coordinator

FASMATECH EPISTIMONIKI KAI TECHNOLOGIKI ANONYMI ETAIREIA

Address

Patriarchou Grigoriou E Kai Neapoleos, Lefkippos Technology Park, Ncsr Demokritos, Building 27
153 41 Agia Paraskevi
Greece

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

EU contribution

€ 1 367 500

Participants (5)

KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET

Sweden

EU contribution

€ 617 000

Address

Nobels Vag 5
17177 Stockholm

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

FOSSIL ION TECHNOLOGY SL

Spain

EU contribution

€ 495 000

Address

Calle Cipreses 18
28036 Madrid

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

HEINRICH-PETTE INSTITUT LEIBNIZ INSTITUT FUER EXPERIMENTELLE VIROLOGIE

Germany

EU contribution

€ 600 000

Address

Martinistrasse 52
20251 Hamburg

Activity type

Research Organisations

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS

France

EU contribution

€ 452 500

Address

Rue Michel Ange 3
75794 Paris

Activity type

Other

SPECTROSWISS SARL

Switzerland

EU contribution

€ 450 000

Address

Epfl Innovation Park Building I
1015 Lausanne

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)