ChemSensing

Referência: ChemSensing

Objetivo temático: The ultimate goal of ChemSensing proposal is to develop a marketable device to detect potential sensitizers, using a simple (without the need of trained personnel), fast and cost-effective method. To achieve it, 3 main objectives are outlined: 1. Develop a colorimetric label-free biosensor with peptide-based affinity recognition with lysine (LYS) and cysteine (CYS) residues 2. Blind-assay commercial chemicals, comprising both sensitizers and non-sensitizers known to be reactive with LYS and/or CYS, using the developed biosensor 3. Publicize the method. Specifically, when successful: a) protect the IP, b) disseminate the results in form of an international publication, c) present the prototype in meetings and workshops related to the field, to attract industry partners (mainly chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies) that can help ChemSensing become marketable, and d) submit the developed method to the EURL-ECVAM for validation as a non-animal method.

Área Científica: biosensor, shelf product, skin sensitization

Síntese do Projeto: As well established, chemical-peptide conjugation represents the molecular initiating event (MIE) in skin sensitization. This MIE has been successfully exploited in the development of in chemico peptide reactivity assays, with the Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay (DPRA) being validated as a screening tool for skin sensitization hazard as well as an OECD test guideline. DPRA relies on the use of a high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet detection method to quantify chemical-peptide conjugation through measurement of the depletion of two synthetic peptides containing lysine or cysteine residues. Some of the limitations of the current DPRA include the requirement of high concentration peptides and chemicals that often interfere with the UV detection method, leading to false positive/negative results. Furthermore, HPLC method is labor intensive, time consuming, and the equipment is not readily available in many laboratories, always requiring expert personnel. In order to fill these gaps, ChemSensing is a multidisciplinary project, that combines biology and technology knowledge to develop a biosensor able to detect skin allergens based on a fast, simple and cost-effective method. This shelf product will allow chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies to perform, in house, the screening of new compounds, and/or different concentrations of known chemicals, for their skin sensitizing potential.

Investigador Responsável na UC: Ana Cristina Rosa da Silva

Unidade Orgânica UC: Reitoria

Instituições participantes no Projeto: Instituição proponente: Universidade de Coimbra

Instituição Financiadora/Gestora: Society of Toxicology (SOT)

Programa de Financiamento: SOT - Colgate-Palmolive Grant for Alternative Research 2022

Período de execução: 01/10/2023 a 31/09/2024 (12 meses)

Custo total elegível (EUR): $ 39 773,81

Técnico do Projeto: Kayleigh Mikaela Oliveira Rodrigues

Contacto: kayleigh.mikaela@uc.pt | 239247021 (Ext 210021)