FCT- International Nanotechnology
Laboratory project call
Project NanoMeDiag
Portugal-Spain
International Nanotechnology Laboratory Nanotechnology Projects Call
“NanoMeDiag-Nanobioanalytical
platforms for improved medical diagnosis of infections caused by pathogen
microorganisms”
Portugal-Spain
International Nanotechnology Laboratory Nanotechnology Projects Call
Subject: Nanotechnology,
Nanomedicine - 1. Systems for Diagnosis
Leading Institution -
Prof. Dr.
Institute for
Bioengineering of
Barcelona-Spain
Leading Institution -
Portugal:
Prof. Dr.
CFUM-Centro de Física da Universidade do Minho
Campus de Gualtar
PT-4700-057 Braga
Portugal
Abstract
The aim of the project is to develop a low-cost high-performance
nanobased multianalyte device for detection of pathogenic microorganisms in
different types of samples. The active part of the biosensing platform will
consist on a convenient biofunctionalized nanoestructured surface where
specific biomolecular recognition reactions will be detected by means of
optical/electrical transducing principles.
Two different approaches will be used to evaluate the
device:
1) Detection of specific pathogenic microorganisms:
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (enteric infections), Escherichia coli
0157:H7 (bloody diarrhea and occasional kidney failure), Legionella pheumophila
(Legionnaire’s disease)
2) Detection of bacteria in clinical samples (blood).
This project will increase and capitalise the
interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology R&D in medicine in the iberian
region and it will stimulate the take-up of nanotechnology into real
applications by including end-users.
The interdisciplinar research team has already shown
his scientific competences in the field of science and nanotechnology of thin
films production and characterization, nanolitography, nanoimprint techniques
and in the field of nano-bioanalytical devices as can be seen in the CV’s of
the members. Therefore, we use firstly our previous concepts and results
obtained by the research team within the frame of project on NanoMedDiag. This
will allow us to reach our final objectives and to make a substantial progress
in nanotechnology R&D in medicine in the iberian region, thus stimulate the
take-up of nanotechnology into real applications by end-users. The project will
also use the available research infrastructures and it will contribute to the
scientific formation of PhD students and the formation of young post-graduated
students from both countries.
A common problem for conventional biomolecular sensors
is the long-term instability of the microorganisme response, bacteria
selectivity and the time to reach steady-state of the response is often very
long. These issues will be addressed in our project work and the approach is to
carefully investigate the processing of the novel multi-nanobioanalytical
platform, and to compare how different physical-chemical properties of the
sensor affect the response. Emphasis is placed on those aspects of the science
of nanomaterials that are concerned with the relationships between deposition,
microstructure/composition, physical properties, bacteria sensing properties
and modelling of nanomaterials behaviour.
NanoMeDiag Power Point Short Presentation
More information:
CFUM NanoMeDiag Team leader
Prof. Vasco Teixeira
GRF-Grupo de Revestimentos
Funcionais
CFUM- Centro de Física da
Universidade do Minho
Universidade do Minho
4800-058 Guimarães
email: vasco@fisica.uminho.pt
http://www.fisica.uminho.pt/grf
http://vteixeira.com.sapo.pt/nanoprojects.htm
http://vteixeira.com.sapo.pt/projects.htm