Cel
In the recent years important advances in biotechnology and nano-technology have taken place, opening a way to the development of single bio molecule-based nano-biosensors. These nano-biosensors will represent the ultimate limit in miniaturisation, specificity and sensitivity, and would constitute the closest bio-electronic mimic of the animal sensing systems. In the present RTD project we explore the possibility to develop the first olfactory nano-biosensor array based on the electrical properties of single olfactory receptors. The nano-biosensor array will integrate a set of nano-transducers, each of which will consist of two functionalised metal nano-electrodes with an olfactory receptor monolayer anchored in between. In order to reach this objective we will follow a cross-disciplinary approach in nano-lithography, microelectronics, biochemistry and biotechnology. In the recent years important advances in biotechnology and nano-technology have taken place, opening a way to the development of single bio molecule-based nano-biosensors. These nano-biosensors will represent the ultimate limit in miniaturisation, specificity and sensitivity, and would constitute the closest bio-electronic mimic of the animal sensing systems. In the present RTD project we explore the possibility to develop the first olfactory nano-biosensor array based on the electrical properties of single olfactory receptors. The nano-biosensor array will integrate a set of nano-transducers, each of which will consist of two functionalised metal nanoelectrodes with an olfactory receptor monolayer anchored in between. In order to reach this objective we will follow a cross-disciplinary approach in nano-lithography, microelectronics, biochemistry and biotechnology.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the project is to explore the possibility to develop a nano-biosensor array based on the electrical properties of single olfactory receptors. The nano-biosensor array will integrate a set of nano-transducers, each of which will consist of two metal nano-electrodes with an olfactory receptor monolayer anchored in between. The main objective will be achieved through the following partial objectives:
(i) the fabrication of low resolution nano-electrodes;
(ii) the expression and purification of a sufficient number and amount of olfactory receptors;
(iii) the elaboration and transfer of monolayers of olfactory receptors on the metal nano-electrodes;
(iv) the characterisation and modelling of the electric properties of single olfactory receptors, (v) the determination of olfactory receptor-odour couples, and;
(v) the design of a very low noise amplifying readout interface.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
The project will develop research in essentially four lines:
(i) the production of the olfactory receptors and the elaboration of stable monolayers containing them;
(ii) the fabrication of metal nano-electrodes and the anchoring of olfactory receptors monolayers in between (nano-transducer) ;
(iii) the characterisation of the electrical properties of single olfactory receptors and;
(iv) the characterisation of the nano-transducers as elementary nano-biosensors and their integration in an array biosensor.
We will start with olfactory receptors for which at least one ligand is know. At a later stage we will consider extracting olfactory receptors from a rat olfactory epithelium expression library so as to determine their odorant ligands, or even engineering the sequences of olfactory receptors. The stable monolayers containing olfactory receptors will be formed either from purified olfactory receptors solubilised in a detergent or by incorporating them into a lipid membrane. The immobilisation will be enhanced with specific antibodies covalently bound on the nano-electrodes. The fabrication of the nano-electrodes will be carried out by means of NanoImprint Lithography, assisted by Electron Beam Lithography and Reactive Ione Etching. The electrical characterisation of single olfactory receptors will be performed by means of both a specifically designated atomic force microscope and by means of the nano-transducers, and will be assisted by the development of appropriate theoretical models. The feasibility of the nano-transducers as nano-biosensors will be based on the changes in the electric properties of single olfactory receptors when an odour molecule is bound. The corresponding detection curves for given couples of olfactory receptor-odour will be established. Finally, by implementing a set of nano-biosensors in a nano-biosensor array specific product detection will be essayed. Appropriate very low noise amplifiers will be used.
Dziedzina nauki
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- engineering and technologynanotechnology
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopy
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipids
- natural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicsmicroelectronics
Temat(-y)
Zaproszenie do składania wniosków
Data not availableSystem finansowania
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsKoordynator
08007 BARCELONA
Hiszpania