Host: Centrale Lille (France)
Main supervisor: Pr. A. Talbi (CLI/FR)
Co-supervisors: Pr. P. Pernod (CLI/FR)

The Doctoral Candidate (DC) will lead the development of a novel sensing platform for detecting biomarkers associated with Breast Cancer (BC) in peripheral biofluids. This platform integrates bio-impedance and advanced acoustic wave resonance technologies based on phononic crystal and metasurfaces, operating within the tens of MHz up to GHz range. By leveraging innovative resonances like Bound states In Continuum (BIC) and Fano resonances, we aim to achieve high sensitivity and specificity in biomarker detection.

Host: University of Bordeaux (France)
Main supervisor: Dr. H. Hallil (UBx/FR)
Co-supervisor: Pr. C. Dejous (UBx/FR)

The Doctoral Candidate (DC) will lead the development of a Phononic-crystal waveguide biosensor aimed at enhancing sensitivity and specificity in detecting Breast Cancer (BC) biomarkers. This involves integrating micro/nanostructured materials onto piezoelectric substrates. The DC will focus on innovative geometries like hole and pillar-based Phononic Crystals (PnC), optimizing materials in terms of geometry, size, and lattice symmetry.

Host: CAU (GER)
Main supervisor: Pr. M. Gerken (CAU/GER)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Y. Dusch (CLI/FR)/Pr. A. Talbi (CLI/FR)

The DC project aims to integrate Giant Magneto-Resistance (GMR) “spin valve” and Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) magnetic sensors into lab-on-chip devices. The project intends to utilize iron oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with aptamers for molecular recognition, offering advantages such as high thermal stability and cost-effectiveness. Both transduction methods offer simplicity, CMOS compatibility, and high-density integration, enabling mass production and point-of-care testing. They are adaptable to diverse biofluid environments with wide pH and saline concentration ranges. The fabrication and testing of devices and microfluidic systems will be conducted at Centrale Lille and Kiel University.

Host: UNINA (IT)
Main supervisor: Pr. R. Velotta (UNINA/IT)
Co-supervisors: Pr. B. Della Ventura (UNINA/IT)

The DC project aims to develop an electrochemical biosensor for detecting breast cancer biomarkers. The research involves (1) utilizing porous Boron Doped or Undoped Diamond (BDD/UD) electrodes known for their excellent stability, wide potential window, and low background currents, and (2) employing Au-NPs decorated nanocrystalline diamond or 2D nanomaterials to enhance the electrical response by providing a structural surface. The fabrication of devices and microfluidic systems will be conducted at Centrale Lille, while tasks such as gold nanoparticles patterning, transducer surface biofunctionalization, and biosensor platform evaluation will be carried out at UNINA.

Host: CAU (GER)
Main supervisor: Pr. M. Gerken (CAU/GER)
Academic co-supervisors/mentors:
Industry Supervisor: Dr. A. Latz (Novatec/GER)

The DC project aims to explore nanostructured optical waveguides as sensitive transducers for label-free biomarker detection. Utilizing an optical approach enables non-contact readout within an encapsulated microfluidic chip. The research focuses on multiplex detection of breast cancer (BC) biomarkers through localized and specific capture functionalization combined with imaging readout. Expected results include proposing an original design of nanostructured optical surfaces, developing sensor biofunctionalization and system, and achieving multiplex detection of BC biomarkers in both laboratory and realistic body fluids.

Host: UNINA (IT)
Main supervisor: Pr. G. Condorelli (UNINA/IT)
Academic co-supervisors/mentors: Dr. C. Quintavalle (CNR/IT)

The DC project aims to investigate the use of recognition molecules (DNA oligonucleotides and their peptide nucleic acid (PNAs) analogues) for detection and quantification carried nucleic acids (miRNA and LncRNA). PNAs represent a more stable alternative of DNA and especially RNA oligonucleotides. PNAs are resistant to degradation nucleases and proteases. Another indisputable advantage of PNAs compared to DNA and RNA sequences is the absence of electrostatic repulsion, which is given by their neutral backbone, which is reflected in their excellent hybridization ability.

Host: ULILLE (FR)
Main supervisor: Pr. M. Salzet (ULILLE/FR)
Academic co-supervisors/mentors: Dr. N. Hajjaji (COL/FR)/ Dr. M. Duhamel (ULILLE/FR)

The DC project aims to (i) characterise the molecular profile of EVs in BC patients’ biological samples, i.e. blood, saliva, and urine, collected serially before patients’ treatment with a CDK4/6 targeted therapy, during treatment and after resistance to treatment, (ii) identify EVs miRNA profiles predictive of resistance using transcriptomic analyses, and (iii) validate their clinical relevance by correlating these profiles with matched tumour samples collected before treatment and at progression and using patients’ derived organoids, a 3D tumour cell culture model, to demonstrate the transfer of resistance. The samples come from the clinical study OMERIC which is sponsored by Oscar Lambret Cancer center (associated hospital, Lille, France) and has been approved by an Ethics Committee on 19 November 2019.

Host: Ud’A (IT)
Main supervisor: Pr. M.Trerotola (Ud’A/IT)
Academic co-supervisors/mentors: Dr. M. Ronci (Ud’A/IT)

The DC project aims to explore the analysis of breast cancer (BC)-specific molecules accumulated within or recruited to the surface of extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by BC cells. Through the refinement of highly specific and reproducible protocols, EVs will be efficiently captured from BC cell culture supernatants and body fluids of BC patients, enabling the discovery of novel, specific biomarkers. Moreover, fluid processing protocols will be optimized for immediate integration into the different biosensors platforms, enhancing its applicability and efficiency.

Main supervisor: Pr. M. Gerken (CAU/GER)
Academic co-supervisors/mentors: Pr. O. BouMatar (CLI/FR)/Pr. A. Talbi (CLI/FR)

The DC project aims to develop a microfluidic platform that integrates passive microfluidic elements for fluidic transport and an active acoustofluidic chip for isolating exosomes from complex biofluids such as blood, urina, saliva, crucial for diagnostics and therapeutics. Acoustic-based methods, renowned for their minimal impact and label-free separation, are preferred for sorting biological samples. The project seeks to enhance cell sorting efficiency through the creation of an ultra-compact device for high-precision separation. Parameters such as cell purity and viability will undergo optimization, testing, and validation.

Host: Caretronic (SI)
Main supervisor: Pr. M. Gams (JSI) (JSI/Sl)
Academic co-supervisors/mentors: Dr. Tušar (JSI/Sl)/ Dr. S. Brezar (Caretronic/Sl)

The project aims to utilize artificial intelligence methods to analyze data from partner sources, seeking patterns to predict cancer probabilities and optimize healthcare strategies. This involves developing novel prediction methods based on expertise from JSI and Caretronic. Specifically, the project will focus on data preprocessing, including feature selection such as filtering and wrapping, evaluating machine-learning models such as random forest, deep neural networks, and transformers, and searching for optimal feature subsets using evolutionary algorithms.

Host: UGLA (UK)
Main supervisor: Pr. H. Heidari (UGLA)
Academic co-supervisors/mentors: Dr. E. Hosseini (DURU)/ Nazarpour (NEUX)

The detection of BC biomarkers through magnetic sensors possesses significant benefits such as low background noise, high sensitivity, short assay time, and the ability to detect multiple biomarkers at the same time. This DC project aims to develop a new scientific and engineering paradigm to measure biomagnetic signals for diagnostic and treatment monitoring of early BC. The magnetic detection of biofluidic can be realised as a rapid and cheap diagnostic tool without the need for high-level expertise or research-grade instruments. A BC rapid diagnostic device utilising magnetophoresis (a TMR) will be developed with the following basic components: a sensor, a handheld permanent magnet for magnetising the biofluids, and electronic circuitry for signal-amplification and noise-cancellation, which can all be integrated into a handheld and cost-effective design.

Host: UGLA (UK)
Main supervisor: Pr. H. Heidari (UGLA)
Academic co-supervisors/mentors: Dr. E. Hosseini (DURU)/ Nazarpour (NEUX)

The project aims to develop a biodegradable micro/nanofluidic platform that can support high-resolution TMR biosensors specifically designed for early-stage breast cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring. This research aims to achieve several objectives. First, it aims to develop a biodegradable microfluidic platform using transient optimization techniques to seamlessly integrate with TMR biosensors, allowing for precise handling of samples,controlled flow rates, label free sorting and microfiltration. Additionally, the research aims to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of TMR biosensors in detecting various cancer-specific biomolecules. Another crucial aspect of this project is the development of a high-throughput screening platform that combines microfluidics and TMR biosensors to detect early cancer biomarkers rapidly and precisely. In collaboration with DC9 project which will focus on active microfluidic sorting methods, this work will focus on creating a passive one that enables several functions, including transporting exosomes, perforating cells to release biomarkers, filtering biomarkers, cleaning biosensor, and characterizing and calibrating the TMR biosensor technology developed in the DC11 project.