Valorising magnetometry in cells

Obiettivo

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR or ESR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are widely used. However, magnetic resonance signals are low in energy and thus difficult to detect. These techniques are expensive and typically only offer millimeter down to micrometer resolution. Diamond magnetometry potentially offers a solution. The technique is based on a quantum effect and allows even the detection of single electron spins. While the technique is already used for a few years in physics, during my ERC project this powerful tool was utilised for the first time to measure metabolic activity in living cells.
The aim of this project is to explore the commercial potential of these results and - if it is deemed feasible - found a start-up company for exploitation.
As a first application we will investigate free radical generation. These molecules play a key role in many biological processes including cell communication, immune responses or ageing. Additionally, they are an indicator for stress and thus play a role in many diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases or viral and bacterial infections. Despite their relevance and the fact that free radical generation is often an early sign of disease, they are rarely used as biomarkers since they are notoriously difficult to measure. In this project we will build a prototype (to be patented) that can be used for demonstrations to customers. This will be done on close collaboration with a user committee in order to meet the customer expectations. To demonstrate the usefulness to customers for diagnosis we will conduct test measurements . Further, we will assess whether a business model based on a product or based on services or a hybrid business model containing both is most promising.