Apta Biosciences awarded H2020 EU grant

Company will use the grant to incorporate Seligo technology into next generation antibiotics and infectious disease therapeutics.

The programme called MARA combines three novel technologies to create a DNA-based molecular toolkit for the characterisation of pathogens.

First, the detection of pathogen-associated antigens will be performed by Autonomous Detection Nucleic Acids (AUDENA) that are independent of any laboratory instruments and sophisticated processing. The realisation of the AUDENA concept will lead to an autonomous, stable, simple and very economic novel sensor class applicable for any water-soluble substances.

Second, a novel approach in protein mimicry and creation of artificial enzymes.

Third, the development of a molecular drill that can specifically identify target cells and destroy them. This Molecular Robot (MORO) will be made of self-assembling DNA. The MORO will be used for the lysis of bacterial cells to release intracellular antibiotic resistance associated antigens.

Using specially designed, artificial molecular machines for a highly targeted attack on pathogens or tumour cells may well cause a paradigm shift in our approach to disease therapy and open up a whole new area in molecular medicine.