The PolyNano applications have been chosen to match the biotechnological needs specified by the end-users that are participating in PolyNano. Five specific applications have been chosen as shortly described below.
Next-generation DNA-sequencing with denaturation mapping
The aim of this project is to construct low cost nanofluidic lab on a chip systems to make denaturation mapping of DNA affordable and available for biomedical research and industry. Denaturation mapping is a new method for coarse-grained sequencing of individual, intact molecules of DNA or of very large (Mbp) pieces of such molecules. The main challenges involved are on-chip extraction of DNA from whole cells by lycing, separation of the cell content, freeing DNA by digesting protein-associated chromosomes, and handling of Mbp-long DNA without breaking it. This method opens up for substantial progress towards simpler, faster, cheaper use of genetic information.
The work is conducted in collaboration between DTU, McGill University, USA, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen University.
PoC device for nucleic acid based detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
This project involves the development and testing of a new technology for carrying out sample pre-treatment and nucleic acid amplification within an in-expensive mass-producible plastic chip. The initial aim is to fabricate chips with wall-less channels for reagents defined by tuning of the chip surface properties and demonstrate the use of this chip for pre-PCR sample treatment. The challenges are to obtain sufficient transportation of active antibodies on magnetic nanobeads, the creation of stable hydrophilic polymer surface modifications, as well as developing a system with the ability to manipulate and mix magnetic nanobeads.
The work is conducted in collaboration between DTU, Statens Serum Institute (SSI), and DELTA.
A LoC for high throughput drug screening
This project involves the development of a low cost high throughput polymer chip for electrochemical detection of neurotransmitter release from single cells. The secretion of neurotransmitters via exocytosis is an important target for drug discovery in diseases related to the central nervous system (CNS). Amperometric detection of exocytotic release of neurotransmitters from neuronal cells has been demonstrated, and will be further pursued targeting relevant biological applications.. Moreover, a polymer chip based solution will enable automation of the measurements for industrially feasible high throughput applications.
The work is conducted in collaboration between DTU and Sophion Bioscience.
A LoC for ex vivo cell selection and stimulation for improved cell-based cancer immunotherapy
This project aims at developing an inexpensive polymer platform for ex vivo selection and stimulation of specific phenotypic subsets of patient immune cells. Facile phenotypic selection and optional subsequent stimulation is important to obtain more efficient and consistent cell-based cancer immunotherapy. Dendritic cells and T cells of defined immunogenic phenotype are important for existing dendritic cell based and future T cell based cancer immunotherapy.
The challenges in this project involve the capture of specific cell types on polymer surfaces patterned with proteins of particular cell binding affinity, as well as the homogeneous transfer of patterns of functionally active proteins to a polymer surface during injection molding.
The work is conducted in collaboration between DTU, InMold Biosystems A/S, and Herlev Hospital.
A LoC for high throughput screening of G-protein coupled receptors (GCPR)
This project aims at developing a high-throughput screening platform to study membrane protein-ligand interactions. Lipid bilayers are the basic structural elements of all living cells, forming the natural boundaries that define the external and internal environment of the cells and cellular compartments. Massive transport through these lipid bilayers is possible due to highly specialized transmembrane proteins, such as the GPCRs, which involved in many pathophysiological processes. An Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) based multichannel system with microelectrode- and microfluidic arrays will be developed for investigating the interactions between ligands and various GPCRs reconstituted in biomimetic membranes. One of the challenges will be to develop stable biomimetic membranes why various strategies for developing supported biomimetic membranes will be at focus.
The work is conducted in collaboration between DTU and Aquaporin.