Advanced functional nanomaterials for precise Cancer diagnosis (NanoCANdi)

• Grant number: 22/07699-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Agreement: M-ERA.NET
• Principal Investigator: Kleber Roberto Pirota
• Grantee: Kleber Roberto Pirota
• Principal researcher abroad: Rafael Morales
• Institution abroad: Universidad del País Vasco, Bizkaia (UPV) , Spain
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Campinas
• Associated researchers: Adriele Aparecida de Almeida ; Diego Muraca ; Fanny Béron ; Marcelo Knobel

Abstract

NanoCANdi addresses one of the most critical Societal Challenges identified in the European H2020 framework programme: "Health, Demographic change and Wellbeing", and currently, the Mission area: Cancer of the recent framework Horizon Europe. The EU has defined a specific Mission to fight against cancer due to its tremendous impact on the society. This proposal contributes to this objective by developing an innovative technology for an early stage detection of skin cancer. The project designs and produces new functional materials and spintronic sensors to validate a hi-tech biosensing platform for detection of cancer biomarkers. It makes use of Key Enabling Technologies to fabricate magnetic nanodisks with special spin configurations, develops promising aptamer immobilization protocols for biomarker recognition, and benchmarks the biosensor performance with clinical samples of skin patient's serum. Expected results will impact both scientific knowledge and technological progress. A comprehensive study of magnetic nanodisks along with micromagnetic simulations will lead to interesting results in nanomagnetism. A phase diagram of a vortex state of high magnetic moment Fe nanodisks will be determined. It is an important result to optimize biosensor signals using magnetic particles. Additionally, the development of new protocols for aptamer functionalization of molecule-sensitive interfaces is a relevant progress in the fabrication of advanced functional materials with a straightforward application in biosensing technologies. Finally, the most significant result will be the technological validation in a laboratory environment of a microfluidic platform to detect skin cancer biomarkers. It is expected that this technology will extend current detection limits of clinical instruments. Consequently, the project starts at TRL 2 and finishes at TRL 4. NanoCANdi is a multidisciplinary project -involving Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, and Biology; and multisectoral, with partners from the academic sector (universities), research centres, technology institutes, and SMEs. Thus, apart from the scientific benefit, partners linked to the industrial area will benefit from cutting-edge products and high-value services for the biotechnology niche. (AU)