BIOSENSORS-AGRICULT

DEVELOPMENT OF NANOTECHNOLOGY BASED BIOSENSORS FOR AGRICULTURE

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The key objective of the “DEVELOPMENT OF NANOTECHNOLOGY BASED BIOSENSORS FOR AGRICULTURE” project is the coordinated transfer of knowledge and training activities between participating teams in the EU (Riga, Linkoping, Montpellier), in the Ukraine (Odessa and Kyiv) and the Belarus (Minsk) with the aim of strengthening the existing scientific partnerships and developing new collaboration for long lasting synergy, and to enhance the scientific excellence of participating early stage and experienced researchers. The transfer of knowledge and forming of an intellectual “critical mass” will occur through theoretical exercises and laboratory research in the important and growing field of optical fibre biosensors, aiming towards applications in agriculture and taking opportunities offered by the latest achievements in nanotechnology and biotechnology. The challenge is to create a unique devices for detecting animal diseases, viruses and toxins using fundamental phenomena such as light absorbance, reflectance, transmittance, fluorescence and photoluminescence. The consortia have theoretical and experimental experience and specific skills for making advances in research on biosensors for agriculture applications. The aim is to amplify their knowledge and skills via joint research on specific tasks in work packages and to ensure the transfer of knowledge via seminars, workshops and summer schools and training courses. Through these, the results will be disseminated effectively and interactions will be stimulated amongst experienced researchers and community of young researchers, PhD and MSc students. Mutual research efforts and contacts, including cross-generation interactions, young researchers meetings and appropriate creative environment will grant necessary pre-conditions for sustainability of cooperation among consortia partners after the project is concluded. In total 164 secondment months are planned, 7 summer schools or training courses and 2 conferences.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A staff exchange programme is strengthening international ties and developing biosensors for diseases affecting livestock. It will also prepare a new generation of scientists to address other applications of fibre optic biosensors.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Nanotechnology has had important impact on many fields, but emphasis on areas inherently more technological such as electronics and communication has outweighed that in more traditional sectors such as agriculture. The use of high-tech biosensors to detect animal diseases or the viruses and toxins causing them could have important financial impact in underdeveloped and rural areas.

The EU is supporting the project BIOSENSORS-AGRICULT (Development of nanotechnology based biosensors for agriculture) to help make this happen. At the same time, the project will advance the scientific partnership among Belarus, the EU and Ukraine.

Within the context of optical fibre-based biosensors, both early-stage and experienced researchers will take advantage of a total of 164 secondment months, 7 summer schools or training courses, and 2 conferences.

During the first reporting period, a variety of metal oxide nanomaterials with different surface structures were deposited on planar plates. The team exploited advanced methods such as atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapour deposition (CVD). The resulting nanostructures were characterised using numerous spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, providing ample opportunity for training of researchers in advanced methodologies.

Electrical and optical properties were also evaluated. Scientists then functionalised the nanostructures with biomolecules and tested them for use as biosensors for salmonella, leucosis (a leukaemia-like malignant animal virus) and glucose.

Researchers also investigated the deposition of the metal oxides on optical fibres using the same ALD and CVD techniques. The on-chip biosensor system that will exploit the technology is currently under development in collaboration with industry. Modelling work will support continued research and development efforts.

During the current reporting period, the team carried out measurements to characterise interactions between the biomolecules and the biosensor metal oxide surfaces on which they are immobilised. The data will be used to inform the model, which in turn will aid in optimisation of the biosensor's performance.

Agriculture is a traditionally underserved area when it comes to nanotechnology development, so the BIOSENSORS-AGRICULT project will have even more impact. Farmers in Belarus, the EU and Ukraine will be immediate beneficiaries of the biosensors to detect important conditions affecting livestock. Thanks to a rigorous programme of training and collaboration for a group of early-stage and experienced researchers, the benefits are likely to be forthcoming long after the project ends.