Objective
Every microscopic system, whether biological or synthetic, carries a unique mechanical signature reflecting its structure, function, and state. Accessing this hidden layer of information could transform how we study, diagnose, and engineer complex systems. Existing methods depend on chemical labels or physical contact and fall short in sensitivity and throughput. M-BARC introduces the first mechanical barcoding platform, a universal, non-invasive, label-free sensor that reads intrinsic mechanical signatures at single-cell precision and population-level throughput. The platform uniquely integrates microring lasers, acoustics, and microfluidics into a compact device. Subtle mechanical responses are converted into precise optical signals, producing a “mechanical barcode” that identifies cells, particles, and soft microstructures.
We will demonstrate the potential of this technology through three application cases addressing two strategic European domains: healthcare and agriculture/food. In animal reproductive technologies (in vitro fertilization, IVF), success rates remain low (25–30%) due to the absence of quantitative assessment tools. By extracting mechanical information from oocytes and embryos, we will provide this missing tool, improving reproductive outcomes and enabling sustainable breeding in precision agriculture. In public health (antimicrobial resistance, AMR), we will probe bacterial mechanics to reveal drug-resistance signatures, enabling faster, more accurate diagnostics and improved medical treatment. In pharmaceutical drug screening, we will quantify organoid contractility through tissue mechanics, establishing a mechanical assay platform and ultimately creating the first non-invasive mechanical plate reader for high-throughput testing, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and drug development in healthcare. There is no existing technology to monitor the mechanical status of cells, bacteria, and spheroids/organoids, which provides key information to their
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- natural sciences physical sciences classical mechanics fluid mechanics microfluidics
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture agronomy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug resistance antibiotic resistance
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.4.2 - Key Digital Technologies
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL4-2025-04
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1081 HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.