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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M17037/01
Title: SINGLE MOLECULE DETECTION
Principal Investigator: Evans, Professor S
Other Investigators:
Miles, Professor RE Bushby, Professor RJ Knowles, Professor P
Batchelder, Professor D
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Physics and Astronomy
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 June 1999 Ends: 31 May 2002 Value (£): 172,618
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Analytical Science Electrochemical Science & Eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The project involves development of the generic technology for the measurement of very low levels (single molecules) of analytes. A device based on lipid bilayer membranes, incorporating cation-selective transducer molecules, tethered over micro-well structures will be tested on sodium and potassium ions using sensitive conductance and florescence detection methods. Incorporation of a test receptor protein (acetylchloine receptor) into the tethered membrane should allow amplifies detection of a single molecule of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which opens the gate for flow of 10,000 ions into the detection well. The micro-well structures will be formed from SU8, a photoresist that has been developed to give layers up to about 100 microns in thickness. Using this material, the substrates can be fabricated using only photolithography, eliminating the need for semiconductor processing and hence reducing the cost and processing time. Development work on the substrates will include electrical pumping and multisensor arrays.
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Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk