Abstract
The post-COVID-19 syndrome represents an emerging global healthcare issue. The elevated levels of a number of proteins in blood plasma of post-COVID-19 syndrome-diagnosed patients have been reported as potential disease biomarkers. In this project, we will combine advanced nanocoated optical fiber technology with tailored antifouling polymer brushes to create a high-performance label-free biosensing platform capable of sensitive protein detection in complex biological media such as undiluted human blood plasma. The concerted efforts of two research institutions, i.e., Institute of Applied Physics of the National Research Council in Firenzo, Italy (CNR), and Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague (FZU), with complementary expertise in key areas of the proposal will be combined. Specifically the CNR research group will be responsible for design and fabrication of fiber biosensing platforms as well as for clinical samples analysis; the FZU research group will design and prepare custom-made antifouling biorecognition coatings on various nanolayer material- coated optical fibers and will participate in the assay development and analysis of clinical samples. The results achieved during the course of this project will be disseminated mainly through publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations at leading international conferences. In the framework of this project, several student trainings via exchange student stays, and open lectures are planned as well.