NACARDIO

NACARDIO is a multidisciplinary project aiming to develop and commercialise a chip based nano-biosensor technology based on single electron tunnelling (SET). The goal is to develop a sensor chip for quantification of proteins involved in lipid storage and to investigate if any of these proteins are potential biomarkers for the development of insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. The aim is also to be able to analyse extremely small amounts of protein in small sample volumes.

The sensor technology, SET, is a phenomenon well explored for low temperature applications. Now state of the art nanofabrication techniques make this technology platform available for room temperature operation. Direct electrical detection and the great sensitivity of the device provide unique possibilities for biosensing.

To achieve the goal of NACARDIO, extensive multidisciplinary work addressing questions at the interface between nanotechnology, physics, electrical engineering, surface chemistry, biotechnology and medical sciences will be performed. The efforts will result in a technology that not only revolutionises cardiovascular research and diagnostics, but also promotes other innovative approaches including analyses of extremely small samples.