Smart nanoparticles as doubly responsive sensors for foreign DNA

Application deadline: 3rd March

Interviews to be held: 31 March 2021

Dr Fielding has ongoing work into the preparation of polymeric hydrogels [1] and colloidal diagnostics for healthcare applications (unpublished work). Dr Jones has developed a colorimetric platform to detect DNA and has expertise in working with viruses and anti-viral materials [2]. The combination of complimentary expertise from the Fielding and Jones provides an ideal platform to develop a nanoparticle-based diagnostic which will act as doubly responsive sensors for foreign DNA. The unmet clinical needs which we seek to address to provide a simple test which can rapidly and easily identify whether a sample (e.g. from a patient) or a device (e.g. an implant or ocular lens) is contaminated with foreign DNA species (e.g. Virus, Bacteria or Fungus) [3]. 

Main question to be answered

This project aims to develop a nanoparticle-based diagnostic which will both gel and display a colour change in the presence of amplified DNA. It is well known that cationic nanoparticles can gel in the presence of anionic natural polymers [4] and a colour change can be triggered when DNA binds to dyes prepared in the Jones’ lab [2]. We aim to use both these strategies, in conjunction with isothermal DNA amplification to develop an assay for foreign DNA detection.

This will involve the following stages:

-         Preparing designer nanoparticles containing DNA binding motifs which display a colour change when complexed with DNA.

-         Demonstrating that these nanoparticles form a gel in the presence of amplified DNA.

-         Characterising the gels prepared in relation to relative DNA/particle concentrations and external stimuli.

-         Optimising dye/nanoparticle composition in conjunction with DNA amplification.

-         Initiating trials in clinic with interested clinicians.

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Advanced Biomedical Materials

This project is part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Advanced Biomedical Materials. All available projects are listed here.

Find out how to apply, with full details on eligibility and funding here.