Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have gained increasing attention as tumor markers, as they originate directly from tumors and are responsible for metastatic progression. The MEET project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel electrochemical platform for the highly sensitive detection of cells and tumor biomarkers. The system combines the use of ultrabright Ir and Ru luminophores with 3D nanostructured electrodes, generating intense electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) through a reaction with a coreactant. The proposed strategy is based on three key aspects: (i) design and fabrication of 3D mesoporous electrodes, (ii) development of ultrabright Ir organometallic luminophores, (iii) creation of an electrochemiluminescent platform for sensitive microbead imaging and biomarker detection. The proposed innovation offers precise spatial control of the ECL signal, with potential applications in advanced diagnostics for single-cell analysis and cancer detection.
Scientific coordinator for the Department
Prof. Francesco Paolucci (national coordinator)
Partnership
Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna (Italy)
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Milan, Italy)
Università degli Studi di Catania (Italy)