The Basque research centres CIC biomaGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE and Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) are taking part in a European project, Nanoantenna, which is developing a new optical nanobiosensor as a non-invasive method for diagnosing diseases, based on detection of proteins in biological fluids.

This sensor will present competitive advantages as regards sensitivity, specificity, reliability, reproducibility and detection speeds compared to other detection systems currently in use, thanks to its novel architecture, which allows label-free, direct measurement of specific molecular species.

The nanobiosensor is an integrated system, based on nanoparticles, consisting of two components. At the bioreceptor, responsible for the high specificity, and also sensitivity, the molecular recognition takes place and proteins attach to the nanoparticle. In turn, the transducer enhances the signal detected and provides greater sensitivity to the unit, called thus a nanoantenna. The combination of nanoantennas (the nanobiosensor) with direct signal detection by vibrational (Raman and infrared) spectroscopy corresponds to the diagnosis instrument, capable of multi-detection of proteins.

The nanobiosensor will be validated by detecting proteins that have been identified as specific biomarkers for several pathologies, including cardiovascular diseases, various types of cancer (liver, ovarian, breast) or hepatitis C.

At CIC biomaGUNE, the group led by Valery Pavlov, will optimise the nanoantennas to adapt them to the biological functions, determining the best molecules as bioreceptors for the targeted biomarkers, and biofunctionalising the nanoantennas to achieve the greatest possible specificity and sensitivity.

The research team directed by Javier Aizpurua at the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) will determine the range of sizes of the nanoantennas for their different applications, and will carry out the physical calculations to assess the response of the nanoantennas in different real-life situations.

The laboratory of Rainer Hillenbrand at CIC nanoGUNE, meanwhile, will study the different types of antennas, using scattering-type Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy (s-SNOM), enabling nanoscale cartography to be performed.

The three Basque centres are the only Spanish participants in the consortium, composed of 12 members from five European countries and one associated country (Israel). The project, led by the French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), is expected to last for three years and has a total budget of almost 8 million euros. It is a clear example of technological convergence, interdisciplinary cooperation and expertise complementarity, as demonstrated by the involvement of doctors, biologists, chemists and physicists, as well as industrial partners.