The University of Oulu is making significant strides in biosensor technology, aiming to improve early disease diagnosis and treatment. The Next-Generation Molecular Sensors project, led by Professor Caglar Elbuken, has received nearly one million euros in funding from the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation to support a three-year research initiative.
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The project unites five research groups at the university, bringing together nearly 80 researchers from diverse fields such as biochemistry, biophysics, optical nanotechnology, microfluidics, and cell biology. In addition to Professor Elbuken, the principal investigators include Professors Aki Manninen, Seppo Vainio, and Simo Saarakkala, as well as Assistant Professor Jian-An Huang.
Biosensors are crucial tools in healthcare and life sciences, allowing for precise detection of biomolecules, such as proteins, within the body. This accuracy is essential for early disease diagnosis and monitoring treatment effectiveness.
Currently, biosensors are widely used in medical applications, including:
- Diabetes management, where they monitor blood glucose levels.
- Cardiovascular health, detecting biomarkers that signal heart disease or heart attacks.
- Cancer research, with ongoing efforts to develop biosensors for early cancer detection.
One of the most promising developments in this field is ultrasensitive biosensors capable of detecting single molecules. However, improving these technologies requires innovations that enhance sensitivity, detection limits, and integrated data analysis for various applications.
The University of Oulu research team is working to develop molecular biosensors that can detect and measure individual biomolecules at the cellular level. Their approach involves leveraging natural cellular communication mechanisms and utilizing nanosensors to create artificial cell-like sensors.
A key focus of the project is Raman spectroscopy-based sensor technology, which enables the detection of single protein molecules and engineered nanovesicles from extremely small sample volumes. This could significantly improve the sensitivity and accuracy of diagnostic tools.
Our research addresses one of the biggest challenges in biosensing: the label-free detection of single molecules. We are developing ultrasensitive technologies that offer significantly more precise and sensitive analytics than previously possible. The technologies we are working on have the potential to establish Oulu as a global leader in biosensor technology. The impact of this research could be far-reaching, enhancing healthcare and improving disease diagnostics and treatment worldwide.
Caglar Elbuken, Professor, University of Oulu