Robust biomarker binders, probes and assays for sustainable precision medicine

Cancer treatment outcomes vary widely due to inequalities in access to tests, drugs and the need for regular visits to specialist clinics. Many limitations can be addressed by developing more sensitive and robust tests for underexploited cancer biomarkers that can detect cancer sooner, be deployed in local clinics and simplify sample shipment and storage. Such tests will improve health outcomes, and also reduce the substantial environmental impact of biological reagent manufacture and patient travel. MIPrecise is an innovative and integrative network for training of doctoral candidates (DCs) that aims to address these challenges by re-engineering the diagnostic development and delivery pipeline through use of inexpensive, highly stable imprinted polymers. Training a new generation of doctoral scientists in methods that can develop and transition the novel diagnostic and monitoring platforms is crucial, for sustainable development and future impact for cancer patients. Through four work packages MIPrecise will make progress related to the following cancer relevant topics:- Assays for guiding personalized therapies based on kinase inhibitors - Robust assays and home based sampling for small cell lung cancer- Discovery of new biomarkers for more precise cancer diagnostics- Fast and sensitive liquid biopsies for assessment of tumour aggresivenessThe project will give 13 DCs a first-class interdisciplinary and intersectorial training program that combines scientific excellence with important transferable, business and entrepreneurial skills. This meets needs for highly skilled researchers supporting a competitive MedTech sector in Europe. 12 leading groups in the field of molecular imprinting, smart materials, proteomics, single cell analysis and clinical diagnostics at 8 universities, 1 research institute and 3 companies will form an inter-disciplinary expert network to develop disruptive greener technologies to address inequalities in cancer care.