Project description
Nanopore technology for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains a major clinical challenge, as the molecular changes underlying the condition begin decades before symptoms appear. Detecting these changes at the single-molecule level could transform early diagnosis and disease monitoring. Nanopore technology allows the identification of individual molecules with exceptional sensitivity, offering the capacity for distinguishing molecular signatures. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SIP-PORE project will develop a nanopore platform capable of detecting specific chemical modifications on AD-related proteins. Technological advances in molecular engineering offer the potential to control protein movement and improve signal clarity. By profiling phosphorylated forms of the key AD biomarkers Tau and APP, the platform will lay the foundation for early, single-molecule AD diagnostics.
Objective
Nanopore single-molecule technology, with its high sensitivity and long-read capability, offers powerful opportunities for protein sequencing and early disease detection. To realize this potential, four steps are essential: protein capture, amino acid and post-translational modification discrimination, controlled translocation, and accurate signal interpretation. Controlled translocation is especially critical for producing clear, distinguishable signals, while robust analysis requires a spectral reference library. This project addresses uncontrolled protein movement by introducing binders that specifically recognize phosphorylation, acting as a “molecular brake” to establish a pan-phosphorylation-binder-assisted nanopore platform. Using this approach, we will map phosphorylated Tau and APP—key Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers—laying the foundation for early diagnostic applications. The platform will also expand nanopore capabilities for detecting diverse post-translational modifications and multiple phosphorylated proteins. Our objectives are: (1) to generate a pan-phosphorylation binder pool using protein engineering and a modified PANCS-binder screening system; (2) to build a spectral reference library for phosphorylation types based on dwell-time profiles; and (3) to create single-molecule nanopore profiles for early Alzheimer’s detection.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
OX1 2JD Oxford
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.