microRNAs (miRNAs) are key players in the onset and progression of cancer. Tumor-secreted miRNAs can be stably present in the circulation (circulating miRNAs or c-miRNAs) and are therefore considered ideal non-invasive cancer biomarkers. To date, miRNA detection in liquid samples is carried out with lengthy and labor-intensive PCR-based methods which suffer from technical limitations such as poor reproducibility. By exploiting cell-free systems, we aim to build a sensor-actuator device implemented with Boolean logic functions able to reveal the presence of specific miRNAs or miRNA signatures in liquid samples containing an unknown miRNA mixture. This project will have two outcomes: (1) the development of a structured, progressive screening platform for de novo miRNA marker discovery; (2) the development of a multi-input miRNA-sensing platform for identification of cancer-specific miRNA signatures. The miRNA-sensing platform will allow for a rapid, straightforward, and PCR-free detection of miRNAs in liquid samples and will pave the way for miRNA detection in the context of personalized medicine and disease diagnosis.
Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR)
EMBO CASSELLA
Abstract
Project information
Acronym
EMBO CASSELLA
Start date
15/02/2023
End date
15/02/2025
Role
Coordinator
Funds
European
People involved
Velia Siciliano
Synthetic and Systems Biology for Biomedicine
Budget
Total budget: 132.000,00€
Total contribution: 132.000,00€
CUP J13C22000410001, ammesso a finanziamento dal MUR con Decreto Direttoriale di concessione delle agevolazioni n. 1050 del 23 giugno 2022, in risposta all’Avviso N. 3277 del 30/12/2021 che dà attuazione all’Investimento 1.5 – Creazione e rafforzamento di Ecosistemi dell’Innovazione”, costruzione di “leader territoriali di R&S” – nell’ambito della Missione 4 “Istruzione e ricerca”, Componente 2 “Dalla ricerca all’impresa” del Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza.