Research Focus

Advanced nanofabrication can produce now nano-structures similar in size with single biomolecules or their self-assembled architectures. Capitalising on this strategic opportunity, BISNES focuses on the design, fabrication and implementation of biomimetic nanostructures which complement biomolecular surfaces and modulate the biomolecular activity.

The project will deliver demonstrated technical solutions with impact on a wide range of applications and products: ultra-sensitive bio-diagnostics and drug discovery devices; inherently bactericidal surfaces, medical devices for the in vitro study of amyloid and cytoskeleton proteins central to critical disease (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases, cancer); and hybrid nanodevices that exhibit new electromagnetic properties useful for future IT devices.

The research consortium has the critical mass of knowledge and experimental capabilities, as well as the right combination of activities (academia and industry, both SMEs and industry end-user), which allows us to follow the complete innovation path from fundamental science to its implementation in demonstration devices.

1. design and fabricate nanostructured surfaces and nano-objects that aim to mimic the geometry or the functions of biomolecular surfaces, thus eliciting a molecularly-and supra-molecularly designed response from the biomolecules that interact with nano-surfaces and -objects;
2. design, fabricate and implement novel hybrid bio-devices based on single molecule interactions, which exhibit quantum-leap increase in capabilities (e.g., sensitivity, response time, cost) or entirely new ones;
3. develop software products for the representation and quantification of bimolecular surfaces, especially those interacting with artificial nanostructures.

The BISNES project is organized, along with its Work Packages (WPs), around three main research directions, serviced by a front-, and a back-end activities. Each of these research activities have specific sub-projects which lead to specific project deliverables. BISNES project is structured as follows: