What is your role in DeDNAed?

Our role is focussed primarily on including as many different biorecognition elements and analyte pairs as possible and characterizing the binding kinetics of these elements for the DeDNAed biosensor. We are also making comparisons to other detection means like ELISA based methods, for each bioRE and analyte pair, and cataloguing this data. We also support in providing surface functionalisation strategies for immobilization procedure of the DNA origami. We also account for designing and researching the microfluidics of the DeDNAed biosensor system.  

What are you working on at the moment?

We are currently focusing on the characterization of the binding interactions of DNA aptamers (for Aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A) and peptides (for haemagglutinin of Influenza virus). In order to demonstrate our SERS based optical readout biosensor, we need to consider very strong or tight binders that can help in achieving a proof-of-concept. We are still scouting the options to see which of the biorecognition elements would be the best to demonstrate the functionality of the platform within the project.

What have you achieved so far?

We have found a microfluidic flow cell where we can integrate our solid-substrate DeDNAed biosensor once it’s ready. The microfluidic flow cell will help in concentrating and controlling the flow of the target molecule right over the biosensor surface and help in better SERS readout.  

Have you changed course at all?

Based on the other changes made in the project, we had to adapt the characterization process accordingly. The step involving the microfluidics was introduced later and we had to think about how to bring the biosensor into a microfluidic biosensor platform.

What do you expect from the final stage of the project?

We surely have grounds of novelty within DeDNAed, as  we are introducing different nanocomponents together to assemble a complex yet innovative biosensor. We must also rightly demonstrate that our approach to link this nano-assembly to the DNA origami is beneficial. We hope to successfully demonstrate as many biorecognition elements as possible with this biosensor assembly in a broad application basis.

Will DeDNAed have an impact in your field?

We come from the field of applied biosensors and diagnostics so yes, DeDNAed will definitely have an impact in our field. There is a huge field of application if we are successful. The catalogue of targets considered are from different fields or sectors, which is already an advantage to broaden the scope of DeDNAed as a biosensor platform.

Abiding by the updated definition of biosensors, one direction in biosensor research is to make biosensors as sensitive as possible and the link between SERS with origami bringing these components close together makes it ultrasensitive, improves accuracy and accessibility as an end goal.