Nano-particles: their application in the development of electrochemical molecular beacon biosensors

Project Information

NANOSENS

Grant agreement ID: 220928

Project closed

Start date 1 March 2008

End date 28 February 2010

Funded under

• Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Total cost € 151 936,08

EU contribution € 151 936,08

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITAT ROVIRA I VIRGILI
Spain

Objective

Affinity biosensors, due to their selectivity, sensitivity and the fact they can be developed in a reagent-less and reusable format, find large application in environmental and clinical analysis. Key elements in biosensor development are: (i) the electrode surface (transducer) chemistry/properties, (ii) the recognition element and (iii) the signal generation element. In this proposal electrodeposition of nano-particles will be investigated as a way of modifying the transducer (electrode) chemistry/properties in order to improve/optimise the performances/layout of electrochemical molecular beacon biosensor. Several applications of RnEs will be investigated. · RnEs as a possible route to improve biosensors sensitivity (due the intrinsic catalytic properties of the nano-particles) · RnEs as a way generating specific attachment sites suitable for the recognition element. · Nano-particles as physical masks (template) for patterning, at nano size level, self assembled monolayer (SAM) of thiolated molecules onto Au surface (definition free sites, suitable for the recognition element attachment, in an antifouling matrix). Furthermore the influences of nature of the redox centre over the performances of electrochemical molecular beacon will be investigated in this proposal. The knowledge generated will be applied to the realisation of electrochemical molecular beacon DNA sensors for the prenatal diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis and Thalassemia two of the most common genetic diseases. These areas of application have been chosen because of the relevance of the two diseases and because of the necessity to simplify the pre natal diagnosis of them that currently is performed with invasive, costly and risky procedures such as amniocentesis and “chorionic villa sampling”.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering › electronic engineering › sensors › biosensors
• natural sciences › biological sciences › genetics › DNA
• medical and health sciences › clinical medicine › obstetrics › fetal medicine
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › catalysis
• engineering and technology › nanotechnology › nano-materials

Keywords

• Electrochemical molecular beacon
• Nanobiotechnology
• biosensor
• nano-particles

Programme(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Topic(s)

• PEOPLE-2007-2-1.IEF - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development"

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator

UNIVERSITAT ROVIRA I VIRGILI

• EU contribution: € 151 936,08
• Address: CARRER DE ESCORXADOR ; 43003 Tarragona ; Spain
• Region: Este › Cataluña › Tarragona
• Activity type: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Administrative Contact: Ciara Kathleen O'sullivan (Dr.)
• Total cost: No data