Objective
The objective of the proposed work is to develop biosensor systems for the reliable monitoring of algae toxins and cells. Diagnosis will also be carried out using newly developed immunotoxicity assay.
The use of an integrated electronic sensing principle is a very flexible approach, allowing the sample to be probed in many ways. The proposed approach is to use simple, disposable electrochemical affinity sensors. Affinity sensors are based on a receptor molecule specifically recognizing and binding an analyte. This is a very sensitive method and for biosensors the receptor most commonly used is an antibody. Recently a number of chemically or biochemically derived artificial receptors have been developed and their use in the construction of sensors has led to a new class of biomimetic sensors. The principle of producing immunosensors has been demonstrated for other applications and is considered to have a high chance of success.
Two state-of-the-art approaches are proposed for the production of receptor molecules. This is clearly a difficult task, but one which we believe will be successful. The proposers have considerable experience in antibody production, and significant experience in combinatorial synthesis. Both approaches have been demonstrated for use with compounds which are not dissimilar to those considered for this project. These approaches have the added advantage that they can be adapted to ariy group of compounds.
The biosensor array will be combined with multivariate analysis software for use in analyzing real samples taken from a number of sites throughout Europe. The instruments will be compared with current laboratory based methods such as chromatography.
Immunotoxicity assay method will also be developed. The toxic and nontoxic algae will be fed to bivalves. The hemocytes will be tested concerning their phagozytotic activity. By recording immunological resistance (phagocytosis) in terms of quality and quantity, it is possible to detect biotoxins and their effects on the aquatic organisms. Experiments with reference biotoxins will be done with microcystin and anatoxin.
Measurement of phagocytic activity offers ample opportunities for detecting unknown biotoxins by their influence on mussel immunology and hence a sensor can be constructed from this assay.
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 computer and information sciences software
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology phycology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
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Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
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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.
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Funding Scheme
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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.
Coordinator
MK43 0AL Cranfield - Bedford
United Kingdom
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.