Marie Curie Actions - IRSES

7th Framework Programme for Research. technological Development and Demonstration

Project title:Binding-activated fluorescent DNA/peptide chimeric probes for cancer imaging

Co-ordinator: Universita Degli Studia Di Roma Tor Vergata Department of Chemistry Assistant Professor Dr. Francesco Ricci

Partner: University of Tartu Guest Professor Dr. Tambet Teesalu

Other Partners:

Universite de Montreal, Professor Alexis Vallēē-Bēlisle

Sanford-Burnham Medical Reserach Institute, Research Assistant Professor Dr. Kazuki Sugahara

The overriding goal of this project is to mimic Nature in the design of novel nucleic acid/peptide chimera based nanodevices that can enable cancer imaging. We will design, engineer and optimize highly specific biomolecular nanodevices that undergo binding-induced conformational changes upon target binding and, in doing so, signal the presence of the cancer marker. This scientific goal of great relevance for the clinical implications will be achieved bringing together an international and interdisciplinary group of research teams and building a collaborative environment for research, innovation and technology transfer. This program will allow the exchange of knowledge and expertise through visiting training periods for participating early-stage and experienced researchers. The training will involve each single aspect of probe development and cancer imaging. The research teams involved in this project encompass the requisite expertise and each of them has a particular focus on a single step of optical probe development and testing on cancer cells. This program will help the integration and collaboration among the research teams and the establishment of a long-term collaboration between Europe and key Third Countries. Free keywords: DNA probes, tumour recognition peptides,tumour imaging, fluorescent probes