Abstract
The aim of the ANALYSER project is the development of a flexible system for multiparametric in vitro monitoring of cellular cultures, with a focus on (but not limited to) electroactive cells like neurons and cardiac cells. The system will comprise an array of sensors based on an ultrasensitive organic device named organic charge modulated field effect transistor (OCMFET), specifically functionalized for the detection of a wide range of parameters and molecules, namely the electrophysiological activity (if any), ions like H+ and Ca2+, Dopamine, and Cortisol, with the idea of introducing a versatile and flexible tool that is able to conveniently investigate the multi-faceted extracellular environment by demonstrating the feasibility of detection of different paradigmatic species like ions, neurotransmitters, and hormones. The system that represents the outcome of the ANALYSER project will allow to acquire simultaneously the aforementioned parameters and analytes (or a subset of those, depending on the specific application), thus giving researchers in different areas the possibility of effectively probing different aspects of the state of a cell culture. This unprecedented capability makes this approach suitable for the comprehensive study of cells in vitro, allowing applications such as the study of neurodevelopment (with the aid of the new cellular engineering techniques that nowadays are able to provide several 3D structures and organoids), in vitro studies of neurodegenerative diseases (thanks to innovative approaches based on induced pluripotent stem cells), pharmacology and toxicology (thanks to the possibility of monitoring the effect of substances or drugs on cellular metabolism), and virology, just to mention a few of the most interesting ones. The functionalization techniques and materials will be specifically tailored in order to be compatible with the fabrication of a multisite sensors array, and adapted to the specific organic device that constitutes the core of the proposed system. The sensors will be characterized by an ultra-high sensitivity, thanks to the peculiar structure of the OCMFET structure, and will be mechanically flexible, low-cost and replicable in multiple copies on large areas, thanks to the low costs of the materials and fabrication techniques offered by organic electronics. In conclusion, the knowledge generated by the ANALYSER project will be of great interest in the in vitro field, and the technology that constitutes its outcome will represent the ideal candidate to address the new challenges that the new developments of cellular biology pose to researchers in several scientific disciplines, thus enabling the advancement and the expansion of both standard in vitro practice and novel approaches such as those based on pluripotent stem cells and in vitro tridimensional cellular aggregates and organoids.
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Isacco Gualandi
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari"
Coordinatore:
Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori - Pavia(Italy)
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 122.500,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
30/11/2023
Data di fine:
28/02/2026
