Environmental Medicine

DFG Project: "Three-Dimensional Lab-on-Chip Architectures for Integrated Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (LoC-SERS)"

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has become the most important and powerful method for sensitive biochemical detection. In this research project an interdisciplinary approach for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, which combines micro- and nano-system integration with nanophotonics, is presented. The aim of this research project is the development of a lab-on-chip SERS system with integrated microfluidics and integrated organic lasers.

BMBF WTZ Project: ExoNanSense

ExoNanSense is a scientific-technical collaboration project with the topic "Planning of innovative strategies for non-invasive cancer diagnosis using exosomes".

ERA.NET Plus with Russia – strengthening STI links between Russia and the European Research Area

The ERA.Net RUS Plus initiative aims at enhancing coordination of research programs between the EU Member States (MS)/ Associated Countries (AC) and Russia. The project will implement Joint Calls for excellent transnational research projects in the fields of NMP, Health, Environment, SSH and Innovation. ERA.Net RUS Plus is a follow-up to the previous ERA.Net RUS action set up from 2009 to 2013 to link Russia to the European Research Area. ERA.Net RUS was the first joint call activity in which prominent Russian Funding Parties participated in a multilateral funding scheme.

Project term: project start:  November 2013, project end: October 2018

More information: http://www.eranet-rus.eu/

E-COST action ME-HAD

For more informations: http://www.mehad-cost.eu/

Development of innovative detection methods for exosomes and exosomal components of narrow-walled sensory nanostructures as a biomarker for personalized diagnostics in early cancer diseases

This EXODIAGNOS project proposal addresses the development of a novel approach for tumor diagnostics. A new selective, early-stage, non-invasive, express cancer diagnostic procedure utilizing exosomal vesicles and their content recognition by specially designed narrow bandwidth active/passive nano-  and microphotonic sensors will be proposed for clinical trials. Our approach is based on three recently suggested novelties. (i) Recognition of exosomal biomarkers – surface and intravesicular proteins and mRNA and DNA nucleic acids – as tumor markers. (ii) Amplitude and phase detection methods using narrow band localized plasmonic resonances and resonances in microcavities, to make a breakthrough in the sensitivity and selectivity of the respective bio and environmental sensors. (iii) Ultra-sensitive detection promised by Active Plasmonic Platform (quantum emitters coupled with the plasmonic nanoresonators and/or microresonators). The narrowband nanoresonators and microphotonic will be functionalized with the complimentary biomolecules which guarantees unambiguous selectivity for the target molecules detection. Special design of the nano and microresonators assures strong amplitude and especially phase response at the binding event. Together this allows us to detect the appearance of the tumor cells at early stages, with reasonable detection time of about hours, and high selectivity and reliability. Application of our research in the form of routine clinical diagnostic procedure will give the opportunity to take treatment in the early stages of the disease. Combination of extensive expertise in nano and microphotonics, exosomes and tumor biology (German partners), new active glasses for nanophotonics and sensors and medical devices development (Poland), active nanophotonics (Greece), photonic application in medicine and accessibility to large bank of biomaterials (Russia) assures successful accomplishment of the ambitious goals of this project. Scientific and/or technological objectives: The project is part of the recently established activity which is being developed between several German and foreign research centers. In the frame of this activity, we plan to integrate our complementary expertise in areas of optical applications of the passive/active plasmonic nano and microresonators related to the biosensors, exosomal biomarkers, and clinical diagnostic in order to develop new technique for selective, express, early stage, and non-invasive cancer diagnostics.

Project term: Project start:  January 2016, Project end: April 2018

Financing: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie BMWi, Bund