Research Elise Daems

Abstract

The number of outbreaks of arboviruses, such as Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika, is increasing globally. These viruses are mainly transmitted by mosquitos in (sub)tropical regions and are responsible for a significant public health burden. Importantly, the population growth, urbanisation and climate change lead to an increase in the spread of arboviral diseases. The diagnosis of these viral infections is crucial to reduce the spread and reduce disease burden. Current diagnostic tools are, however, expensive and time-consuming or lack accuracy and sensitivity. Therefore, ArboSense has the ambition to develop a detection methodology for viral RNA that will reach beyond the capabilities of the state-of-the-art in terms of specificity, sensitivity, speed and the potential for panel analysis. The novelty of the methodology lies in the combination of photoelectrochemistry, in which light is used to trigger a signal, and rolling circle amplification. This combination allows the development of a methodology that can detect a panel of three important arboviruses (i.e. Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika) simultaneously with a limit of detection in the sub-femtomolar range. Finally, the methodology will be validated on clinical serum samples. The underlying methodology can in principle be used to detect any nucleic acid sequence and, therefore, has the potential to be further extended for a wider range of applications (i.e. bacterial infections, antimicrobial resistance and cancer biomarkers).

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: De Wael Karolien
• Co-promoter: Ariën Kevin
• Fellow: Daems Elise

Research team(s)

• Antwerp engineering, PhotoElectroChemistry & Sensing (A-PECS)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Oligonucleotides are small pieces of DNA or RNA with a specific sequence. This sequence results in a unique 3D structure which determines their function, but better methods are needed to study this structure. Oligonucleotides occur naturally and are essential in all life forms, but can also be made synthetically. They play a role in e.g. gene regulation, but also in the defence against bacterial and viral infections, and are therefore interesting targets for therapeutic purposes. Synthetic oligonucleotides called aptamers, which can interact with specific molecules, are now also considered for sensor applications. There is a rapidly growing need for efficient and fast methods for the characterization of oligonucleotide sequence, modifications, interactions and 3D structure. I propose an approach, which is now well-established for proteins but new for oligonucleotides, that can specify some of these characteristics and will lead to a better understanding of the sequence-structure-function relationship of DNA/RNA. In addition, understanding these structural properties will result in the ability to better design synthetic oligonucleotides in the future. By gaining insights in the structure and function of oligonucleotides, it becomes possible to use them in various applications such as sensors, for targeted drug delivery and the development of new antibody-like drugs which will result in better and more targeted treatment of diseases.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: De Wael Karolien
• Co-promoter: Sobott Frank
• Fellow: Daems Elise

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project