DeDNAed has a duration of 36 months and to achieve its objectives, the project is divided into 8 work packages (WPs) that will support an effective and efficient realization of the project objectives and enable a simple risk management. The respective WPs and their interconnections are presented in Figure 4. WP 1 includes the coordination and management of the project and, together with WP 8, which is focused on dissemination and exploitation, forms an accompanying administrative framework around the scientific work packages WP 2-7, in order to ensure a dynamic project development.
Figure 4: Working plan structure of all involved work packages and their interconnections
In WP 1 “Coordination and Management”, a suitable scientific environment for high-quality research is established through a project quality plan and the assurance of effective and targeted internal and external communication and decision-making. WP 8 “Dissemination and Exploitation”, will guarantee a well-timed, successful publication and processing of the results achieved in the project and further, include consultation on exploitation with an external advisory board.Â
The scientific part of the project consists of 3 phases.
The first phase includes the synthesis of the two essential building blocks – the biological recognition element and the DNA origami, that takes place in the work packages WP 2 “Design and production of sensing element” and WP 3 “Design and synthesis of DNA origami”.Â
WP 4 “Synthesis and characterization of DNA origami hybrids” defines the second phase – the development process of the sensor – and combines the two basic building blocks for the desired sensor design, accompanied by a constant characterization of the sensor properties and corresponding feedback to WP 2 and WP 3 for optimization.Â
In phase 3, the developed sensor is integrated on a corresponding substrate and the manufacturing process itself will thus be completed. The relevant WP 5 “Integration of DNA origami hybrids” and WP 7 “Transfer to flexible substrates and biosafety” complement each other through the integration methodology and substrate surfaces and open up a broader field of exploitation. In addition, the hazard potential during the manufacturing process of the biosensor is assessed and documented in WP 7, since the focus here is particularly on an application on the body.
In addition to these 3 phases, the development and integration process of WP 4, WP 5 and WP 7 is followed by a validation of the results obtained and the performance of the sensor compared to the current state-of-the-art (WP 6). Overall, communication and feedback between the individual WPs is envisaged in order to facilitate the research process and development in DeDNAed.