"The overriding goal of this project is to mimic Nature in the design of novel nucleic acid/peptide chimera based nanodevices that can enable cancer imaging. We will design, engineer and optimize highly specific biomolecular nanodevices that undergo binding-induced conformational changes upon target binding and, in doing so, signal the presence of the cancer marker. This scientific goal of great relevance for the clinical implications will be achieved bringing together an international and interdisciplinary group of research teams and building a collaborative environment for research, innovation and technology transfer. This program will allow the exchange of knowledge and expertise through visiting training periods for participating early-stage and experienced researchers. The training will involve each single aspect of probe development and cancer imaging. The research teams involved in this project encompass the requisite expertise and each of them has a particular focus on a single step of optical probe development and testing on cancer cells. This program will help the integration and collaboration among the research teams and the establishment of a long-term collaboration between Europe and key Third Countries."