A NAno on MIcro approach to a multispectral analysis system for protein essays

NAOMI DIT-PRJ-08-078

Status NOT active project
DISI role Partner
Project type Research Project
Dimension Trentino
Acquisition date 2008-03-19
Start date 2008-10-01
End date 2011-09-30

Project details

Project astract While technological innovations have enabled the analysis of genetic material in miniaturized test formats, the more delicate nature of protein structures has hindered the development of such devices for proteins. Only recently, protein biochips have emerged. In this project, we will tackle the challenge to develop miniaturized protein chips. In fact, proteins are the major molecules of biological functions and are the target of most drugs in the market today. Development of protein chips allows the understanding of the global expression profile. Detection of proteins in different physiological states results in a better knowledge of biology and disease mechanisms leading to more effective therapeutic strategies.<br/><br/>NAOMI will target the development of multispectral protein-chips. The project focuses on combination of nano- and micro-technologies to realize compact, reliable, and potentially low cost, diagnostic instruments with improved analysis performances; NAOMI will therefore pursue investigation and development of new technologies in photonics, micro-fluidics, micro-electronics, nanotechnology, surface chemistry and immobilization techniques. The basic construction of such protein chips has some similarities to DNAchips, such as the use of a glass or plastic surface dotted with an array of molecules. These molecules could be oligonucleopeptides or antibodies. In particular the project intends to implement a non contact analysis approach, based on the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and tagged proteins (Photonic Contact Detection-PCD). This will be obtained by integrating different technologies (functional levels) in a stacked 3D structure instead of the classical planar (2D) approach. <br/><br/>The very innovative approach adopted in NAOMI is the development of tools which, on one side, are able to discriminate among protein families and, on the other side, are able to give information on the<br/>conformational state of these proteins to discover their physiological role. It is possible to consider<br/>experiments where from a plasma or a cell lyses, a given protein family is screened and its functionality<br/>assessed. This will be performed in two steps: first, the family is identified and, second, the conformation of a given protein is determined. To do this NAOMI will follow a multispectral analysis approach: i) a parallel optical screening of proteins and ii) a spectroscopic investigation in the THz of collective protein vibrations to infer their structure and configuration. <br/>The 3D device will be schematically realized by a micro-fluidic and a functionalized surface able to<br/>conduct the specimen into the proper reaction sites and to immobilize the proteins for the analysis. Protein screening will be done with a a channeled laser light which stimulates emission of fluorescence markers or resonant modes in microresonators: then integrated filters and sensors will analyze and detect the optical signal; integrated processing circuitry will characterize it in terms of intensity and duration. Protein conformation measurement will be enabled by a narrowband tunable THz source illuminating the samples: then, broadband sensors in conjunction with synchronized readout electronics will detect the transmission spectra. Results from both analyses will be compared with prerecorded databases to extract the analysis outcomes.<br/><br/>Given the functional multilevel system approach, the project will initially develop each function separately. Then the integration of different functions will be performed and, eventually, the whole protein chip will be assembled, packaged and validated with respect to a test case. This development pattern will be followed for both the protein screening and the conformation assessment. Since THz spectroscopy is in its infancy, in the last case the validation will be performed as a feasibility experiment with single assembled components.
Fundings 3434290 €
Partners
  • DIT - UniTN
  • Fondazione Bruno Kessler
  • CNR
  • CIVEN
  • Dipartimento di Fisica - UniTN

DISI Sub-project details

Project astract Within the project, the role of DISI is to develop high sensitivity CMOS image sensors for visible light.<br/>The visible sensor (VIS), consists of an array of pixels, each one integrating a photosensitive element<br/>and the required read-out and processing electronics. Two main approaches will be investigated:<br/>Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) and a non-conventional photodiode, based on a<br/>Field-Assisted-Photodiode รข?? FAP. The detectors will be capable of detecting the very low intensity level of light generated by-transmitted through the bio-reactor and can operate in a time-gated modality, in order to remove the spurious component of the fluorophores excitation source and monitoring the time evolution of the chemical reaction on a nanosecond time-scale.<br/>
Fundings 67500 €
Manager Gian Franco Dalla Betta
Participating RP