MC-Nano · Multianalyte Continuum Nanopores Sensing

Diagnostic limitations in healthcare form a major societal challenge, especially in the case of heart failure. More than 15 million Europeans suffer from heart failure, with a projected increase of up to 33% in heart failure patients globally by 2060. An important instrument for better diagnoses of heart failure comes from natriuresis-guided therapy, offering potential for personalized treatment. Monitoring natriuresis through urinalysis via Point of Care Testing (POCT) helps manage severe heart failure. However, POCT presents several complications, as it can only be performed by health care professionals and long-term costs are high. Responding to these challenges, this ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) proposal introduces ""Multianalyte Continuum Nanopores Sensing"" (MC-Nano), led by Prof. Giovanni Maglia. MC-Nano aims to develop a biological nanopore tool for real-time continuous patient health monitoring to improve possibilities of POCT. MC-Nano will develop a nanopore system to detect sodium ions, electrolytes, proteins, and heart failure biomarkers in liquid samples like urine. By utilising multiple nanopores, the system improves accuracy and reliability in identifying pathologies related to heart failure, including kidney failure. The project's advantages include its potential for miniaturisation, minimal need for specialised solutions, and compatibility with low-powered electronic devices. Built upon the foundations of a previous project, ERC CoG De-Nano, which successfully developed biological nanopores for peptide and protein sequencing, this proposal aspires to take the first steps toward the design of an innovative diagnostic device tailored for continuous monitoring of heart failure patients, tracing natriuretic activity in real-time. The resulting technology aims to substantially reduce the limitations of current diagnostic methods for heart failure patients globally and paves the way for precise and efficient medical interventions in the future.""