NanoLyme: nanotechnology and artificial intelligence for a new diagnosis of Lyme disease

The IIS Aragón is collaborating with the University of Zaragoza, the CNRS and the Lannemezan University Hospital on this project, which has received funding of more than 1 million euros. NanoLyme seeks to directly detect the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease.

The project nanoLyme It is a cutting-edge initiative in medical research, whose main objective is Improve the diagnosis of Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks carriers of the bacteria Borrelia/Lyme disease. This disease affects thousands of people each year in Europe and North America, but the main challenge facing health professionals is the early diagnosis, since the initial symptoms can be confused with those of other diseases. If not detected in time, the disease can cause serious long-term complications., affecting various parts of the body, such as the joints, nervous system and other organs.

NanoLyme seeks revolutionize disease diagnosis through the use of innovative technologies that allow the presence of the bacteria to be detected quickly and accurately, without depending on the patient's immune response. The project is based on the use of Nanotecnology, single cell mass spectrometry (single-cell ICP-MS) and Artificial Intelligence, tools that will provide a Greater sensitivity and accuracy in testing, even before symptoms are evident.

nanoLyme Project

NanoLyme aims to overcome existing challenges in diagnosing Lyme disease, in particular, the limitation of current tests that detect infection once the immune system has begun to react. By using nanoparticles and advanced molecular analysis methods, this project seeks to identify the presence of the Borrelia/Lyme disease in minimal quantities, which would allow a early diagnostic.

One of nanoLyme's technological innovations is the development of a nanotechnology platform applied to diagnosisBy integrating nanotechnology and atomic spectrometry, researchers will be able to analyze biological samples at the cellular level, detecting the bacteria directly.

La mass spectrometry is a method that allows measuring the characteristics of particles and molecules at an atomic scale, which guarantees high precision in the identification of pathogens. In addition, the project incorporates artificial intelligence to analyze large volumes of data, optimizing test results and improving the efficiency of the diagnostic process.

In short, nanoLyme is developed around four key aspects:

• A more precise diagnosis: Development of a technique based on nanotechnology that allows the direct detection of the bacteria responsible for the disease.
• AI Application: Using artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and improve diagnostic accuracy.
• Cross-border collaboration: Cooperation between institutions in the affected regions to develop a method applicable on a large scale.
• Better life quality: Reduce advanced cases of Lyme and improve patients' quality of life with earlier diagnosis.

With an eye to the future, nanoLyme seeks to lay the groundwork bases for new applications in the field of infectious diseases. It is hoped that the results of nanoLyme will serve as inspiration for other similar projects and that the developed technology is applied in other clinical contextsThe project is poised to expand, both in terms of impact and scientific applications, once the testing and validation phases are completed.

international collaboration

The nanoLyme project is the result of the collaboration between various internationally renowned institutions. Among the entities are the Institute of Health Research Aragon (Spain), University of Zaragoza (Spain), CNRS (France) and the Lannemezan University Hospital (France)This multidisciplinary and global alliance makes it possible to address the problem of diagnosing Lyme disease from different scientific fields to address the challenge of Lyme disease from different perspectives.

nanoLyme funding

The development of the project has funding of approximately 1.160.000 Euros, provided by public and private entities. This investment has been crucial for the acquisition of cutting-edge advanced technology and the development of more innovative methodologies in the detection of Borrelia/Lyme disease.

In addition, nanoLyme has been co-funded by 65% by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra Programme (POCTEFA 2021-2027)The objective of POCTEFA is to strengthen the economic and social integration of the Spain-France-Andorra border area.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia/Lyme disease, transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. Initially, it can cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash known as erythema migrans. If not diagnosed in time, the disease can progress., affecting the joints, nervous system and other organs, which can lead to long-term disabilities.

Early diagnosis is key to avoiding long-term complications; However, the disease is often misdiagnosed, especially in endemic areas. Conventional tests are not always effective in the early stages, increasing the likelihood of false negatives and delays in treatment.

Source: nanoLyme