Nanosensors to detect Parkinson's disease

Jana B. Nieder

Laboratorio Ibérico Internacional de Nanotecnologia, Portugal

Parkinson’s disease is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder in the world. In Europe alone more than a million people are diagnosed with this pathology, which reduces their quality of life and that of those around them. There are currently few diagnostic tools or therapeutic options.

The project seeks to apply the latest technologies in quantum mechanics to measure changes in neuron activity and connectivity, through diamond nanosensors that emit fluorescent light in response to changes in cell temperature and magnetic field.

This technology, characterised by its high sensitivity, will be tested in miniature brains (organoids) to validate the technique in neuroscience. This will enable a better understanding of Parkinson’s disease, improve early diagnosis and enhance treatments.

• António Salgado, Universidade do Minho, Portugal

• Ramiro Almeida, Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Diamond photonics platforms for synaptic connectivity assessment in healthy and parkinson disease neuronal models (Diamond4Brain)

999.982 €