Project Acronym: PLABAN
Full title: PLAsmonic Biosensors ANalysis of nucleic acid biomarkers
Project duration: 39 months
Coordinator: Prof. Maria Minunni, Dipartimento di chimica “Ugo Schiff”, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy
Project website address: https://www.chim.unifi.it/vp-435-plaban.html#
Executive summary
Genetic analyses are a fundamental tool in many contexts; In particular, the identification of genetic fingerprints of pathogenic microorganisms holds tremendous clinical interest, e.g. to discern the species involved in infectious diseases and traces of antibiotic resistance. PLABAN explores synergistic combinations of processes of genetic amplification, plasmonic labelling and complementary approaches of photonic sensing, with the final objective of ultra- fast and sensitive discrimination of microbial genes. Ultra-fast genetic amplification will be achieved by a photothermal device, coupling a photonic actuator to plasmonic nanoparticles in reagent master mix replacing conventional thermocyclers. Implementation of genetic amplification and plasmonic labelling will be addressed by priming the biochemical reaction on photothermal nanopartcles.. Meanwhile, we will develop an innovative set of biosensors for lab-on-a-chip application based on a plasmonic transducer or a fluorescent probe coupled to a plasmonic substrate for signal amplification and compatible with standard multiwell microplates and readers. Finally, we will test the integration of these tools in a relevant context as the identification of bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance. PLABAN consortium include Tuscan and Austrian partners holding complementary background and interest as well as the entire pool of interdisciplinary skills needed for its success, with the final vision to consolidate the European position in photonic sensing.
Final project summary
The final result is achieved through synergistic interdisciplinary activities. Plasmonic PCR employs the very efficient heat transfer of optically irradiated metallic nanoparticles, used here as plasmonic labeling; here the development of a ultra-fast prototype photothermal cycler irradiating plasmonic particles (NPs) in the PCR reaction mixture, was aimed. Innovative components were built i.e., several thermal sampling devices, and different formulations of NPs of complementary dimensions and shapes were obtained. A simultaneous realization of plasmonic PCR and plasmonic labeling was obtained by immobilizing NA sequences, i.e. the primers, onto NPs. Further, bioanalytical membrane colorimetric assays were carried out to detect NA target sequence. Meanwhile, an innovative surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor and a plasmonenhanced fluorescence (PEF) biosensor has been set up with a multifunctional plasmonic substrate to combine the effects of plasmon amplification and focusing, with an architecture compatible with the use of standard microplates, isothermal DNA amplification processes and reading with a standard fluorescence scanner.
PLABAN’s partners are research centers from Tuscany and Austria and a company, with complementary backgrounds and interests with interdisciplinary skills, with the aim of consolidating the European position in the field of photonic sensors. PLABAN’s results have already been disseminated at conferences and seminars.
