NAMDIATREAM

NANOTECHNOLOGICAL TOOLKITS FOR MULTI-MODAL DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT MONITORING

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'NAMDIATREAM will develop a cutting edge nanotechnology-based toolkit for multi-modal detection of biomarkers of most common cancer types and cancer metastases, permitting identification of cells indicative of early disease onset in a high-specificity and throughput format in clinical, laboratory and point-of-care devices. The project is built on the innovative concepts of super-sensitive and highly specific “lab-on-a-bead”, “lab-on-a-chip” and “lab-on-a-wire” nano-devices utilizing photoluminescent, plasmonic, magnetic and non-linear optical properties of nanomaterials. This offers groundbreaking advantages over present technologies in terms of stability, sensitivity, time of analysis, probe multiplexing, assay miniaturisation and reproducibility. The ETP in Nanomedicine documents point out that nanotechnology has yet to deliver practical solutions for the patients and clinicians in their struggle against common, socially and economically important diseases such as cancer. Over 3.2M new cases and 1.7M cancer-related deaths are registered in Europe every year, largely because diagnostic methods have an insufficient level of sensitivity, limiting their potential for early disease identification. We will deliver •Photoluminescent nanoparticle-based reagents and diagnostic chips for high throughput early diagnosis of cancer and treatment efficiency assessment •Nanocrystals enabling plasmon-optical and nonlinear optical monitoring of molecular receptors within body fluids or on the surface of cancer cell •Multi-Parameter screening of cancer biomarkers in diagnostic material implementing segmented magnetic nanowires •Validation of nano-tools for early diagnosis and highly improved specificity in cancer research. •OECD-compliant nanomaterials with improved stability, signal strength and biocompatibility Direct lead users of the results will be the diagnostic and medical imaging device companies involved in the consortium, clinical and academic partners'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Lung, breast and prostate cancer are among the most common types of cancer, and early diagnosis plays a critical role in decreasing mortality. Non-invasive and highly sensitive nanotechnology-based tools will lead to simple preventative screening.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Over 1.7 million cancer-related deaths per year are recorded in Europe alone. EU-funded scientists exploited the latest in nanotechnology to deliver nanotools for clinical, laboratory and point-of-care devices with work on the http://www.namdiatream.eu/joomla/ (NAMDIATREAM) (Nanotechnological toolkits for multi-modal disease diagnostics and treatment monitoring) project. The toolkits are based on four different technological platforms, each with unique nanotechnology feature applied for unprecedented efficiency of cancer diagnostics. They detect biomarkers of cancer and cancer cells in microlitre volumes of blood and urine.

Exploitation of fluorescent nanomaterials (quantum dots) enabled the creation of ultra-small diagnostic probes covered with single-domain antibodies against tumour biomarkers. This tool offers superior sensitivity and photostability compared to state-of-the-art alternatives, as well as the capability for multiplexed detection of tumour molecular signatures.

Another immunodiagnostic device relies on antibody-functionalised magnetic core/noble metal shell nanorods that bind tumour biomarkers. The resulting change in the optically observed dynamic response to an externally applied time-varying magnetic field enables the detection and quantification of target molecule concentration in a straightforward biological sample.

Nanocrystals with non-linear optical properties take the advantage of the infrared spectrum for unique deep tissue imaging with enhanced sharp contrast against the surrounding background. Selectively targeted to tumour cells, they provide a stable long lasting signal and therefore efficient cancer detection and monitoring. Three products based on this technology have already been licensed and commercialised.

Finally, segmented magnetic nanowires acting as barcode-type labels for disease marker detection were paired with unique optical-magnetic sensor detection platform for selective multiplexed detection of cancer biomarkers.

Such achievements were secured through the large consortium commitment to deliver high quality, safety-assured and scalable products validated in matching in vitro models for pre-clinical testing, and benchmarked against both clinical and industrial gold standards.

The outstanding work resulted in selection of NAMDIATREAM as the best of over 1,000 projects in the field of nanotechnologies and advanced materials funded by EU funding entities.

Contributing to the European industrial and societal improvement, these tools foster early detection of cancer with reduced invasiveness, cost effectiveness and ease of use with the objective to simplify routine population screening for prompt intervention with drastically improved patient treatment outcomes and reduced health care costs.