• Coordinator: ARCES, University of Bologna, Italy (Prof. M. Tartagni)
  
• Project Number: NMP4-CT-2005-017114
  
• Project Cost: 3.29M€
  
• Project Funding: 1.99M€
• Start date: 2005-10-01
• Duration: 3 years
  
• Number of partners: 7
• Cordis.europa.eu page
  
• WorkPackages:
  

WP1: System Architecture and Matrix Support Fabrication
This WP is related to the system architecture and in particular to the design and fabrication of the matrix supporting the membrane arrays.
WP2: Micro-site Design, Fabrication and Characterization
This WP is related to the microsite design, fabrication and inspection of the microsite unit. Characterization does not include LB assembly which will be tackled in WP5. Characterization means raw device inspection by microscopy, MEB or AFM, on surfaces etc.
WP3: Electronic Interfacing, Packaging and Hardware/Software Codesign
The goals of this WP is: 1) design and assembly of three electronic boards; 2) full custom design of the "on board" electronic silicon chip and its integration; 3) implementation of a user-interface management program for the complete systems; 4) development of data processing.
WP4: Receptor Bioengineering, Production and Reconstitution Techniques in LBs
Design of hybrid membrane proteins (tandems) associating various receptor proteins to an ion channel. The coupling between receptor and channel will mimic existing protein complexes so that channel gating will reflect receptor occupancy. Final bioengineered receptors will be hormone receptors linked to ion channels where channel gating will reflect binding of the hormone to the receptor.
WP5: Biomolecular integration and experimental recordings on first prototypes
This WP is related to the experimental work on the first prototypes. The centre of mass of this WP is in the first phase of the project where bioengineered receptors will not already be available. More specifically: 1) integration increasingly complex biomolecules in an assembled bilayer in the prototypes; 2) characterisation by electrical recordings of events at all steps; 3) adaptation of characterization techniques and biological protocols to 100 nanometric pore dimensions; 4) exploration of methods for stabilizing the lipid bilayer.
WP6: Final Prototype Testing, Validation and Exploitation
This WP is placed in the second phase of the project and wil take advantages of the feedback from the first prototypes. The main objectives are: 1) complete integration in prototype CardB/MF of the expertise and processes developed in the project by all partners to give a relevant demonstrator, validation, biocompatibility and robustness evaluation; 2) comparison of performance of "on board" electronics with the "off board" electronics; 3) evaluation of the selectivity and sensitivity of the device on complex mixtures represented by biological fluids; 4) automation of lipid bilayer formation, membrane protein incorporation and delivery of samples by microdispensing using standard microspotting instruments
WP7: Coordination and Dissemination of results
The goals of this WP are: 1) provide administrative, financial and legal support services to follow the financial, administrative and legal items; 2) organize the Project Management Board; 3) ensure effective communications inside the by organizing an effective and web-based report classification and storage; 4) organize a day to day management and logistic of meetings; 5) promote trainings on the platforms that are going to be developed by the project; 6) promote the scientific visibility and the dissemination of the research by publishing in top-level journals and organizing workshops.