GLYCOSENSE · Polymer brush sensing arrays for the identification of pathogens
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2017-02-01 → 2020-01-31
- EU contribution
- €258,107
- Participants
- 2
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Polymer brush sensing arrays for the identification of pathogens
This action aims to generate chemical sensing systems which would allow for the rapid, cost-effective identification of disease-causing organisms, addressing an urgent clinical need. We are developing develop polymeric sensing arrays which will be used to identify pathogens in a range of complex environments, such as contaminated water supplies, and in clinical samples. Our polymers contain chemical functionalities that mimic the cellular surface, and enable the adhesion of pathogens using the same recognition mechanisms used by pathogens to infect cells. Interaction of analytes with these sensors produces a unique ‘fluorescence fingerprint,’ which can be used to identify the analyte. Fluorescence measurements are incredibly sensitive, enabling the detection of very small amounts of the analyte. The ability to rapidly identify disease-causing organisms using cheap, portable devices would provide a huge boost to public health efforts, enabling the prevention of disease by identifying bacterial contamination. Such systems would also improve the management of existing illness, by quickly identifying the pathogen causing disease, would allowing doctors to choose optimal treatment options.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Surfaces with the capacity for selective recognition of particular pathogens would offer great potential in a number of biomedical applications, including diagnostic devices. Mammalian cells are decorated with a carbohydrate-rich layer, the glycocalyx, which facilitates cellular recognition. Carbohydrate-binding proteins can interact with these sugar motifs to facilitate highly selective recognition, a strategy which is exploited by many viral and bacterial pathogens. Such species have evolved to display recognition units on their surfaces which may interact with considerable affinity with glycan structures displayed on cellular surfaces. This molecular recognition constitutes a key step in the processes of infection or toxicity, and is therefore an attractive target for the development of diagnostic devices. In this project, Dr Clare Mahon proposes to develop surface-tethered polymer brushes which will mimic the glycocalyx in terms of facilitating adhesion of pathogens. Through the incorporation of different fluorophores, the surfaces will be used to construct sensing arrays which will enable the rapid and cost-effective identification of water-borne pathogens and common respiratory pathogens.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY OF YORK · YORK NORTH YORKSHIRECoordinatorUnited Kingdom
- THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY · SydneyAustralia
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union