The innovative Lab-on-Chip (LOC) platform and associated instrument developed within the project have been shown to possess several unique advantages comparing to standard methods: 1. improvement of the analysis time by >80%; 2. simplicity in the engineering of the LOC by employing a two-step concept, i.e. a single chip for sample pre-treatment and a sensing element for the direct detection of the DNA; 3. Simplicity in the detection assay by employing a patented acoustic approach which detects directly DNA amplicons on the device surface (no need for DNA purification or hybridization); 4. simplicity in the fabrication by using processes associated with low-energy consumption (isothermal amplification); and finally, 5. cost-effectiveness, by employing modules commercially available and simple bio-processes. Moreover, the biggest advantage of the developed product is its generic nature, opening the possibility of using it in any application related to genetic biomarkers detection, such as the diagnosis of infectious diseases and cancer biomarkers in human samples, viral detection and GMOs identification in plants and bio-safety.
The project proposes a paradigmatic change in food-analysis based on interdisciplinary and highly innovative research in order to confront the increasing urgency for faster, economical and more efficient food pathogen detection. The need for more efficient food safety management is driven by 3 main reasons: 1. a worldwide increase in outbreaks of foodborne illnesses; 2. the associated increase in healthcare costs and food-manufacturers losses; and, 3. the globalization of food supply in the developing countries introducing an emerging need for food safety testing at the location of import. Moreover, with over 270,000 companies, the food industry is one of the largest European manufacturing sectors, providing employment to over 4 million people and having an annual turnover of 956 billion euros. The proposed work is expected to have a substantial impact in strengthening the competitiveness of Europe in the food and analytical sector while alleviating the societal burden related to food poisoning.
The positive impact of the LoveFood2Market project to the European competitiveness is clearly illustrated in a recent recognition of the consortium’s work by the European Council during the meeting of the European Ministers of Science and Innovation in February of 2016. Our work was recognised and included in the list of projects that “make European citizens proud of”, by providing “ground breaking research and innovation”, “a significant and real impact on Europe’s economy and society” and contributing to “a Europe that aims to attract investors, innovative enterprises and the best researchers”. In addition, the LF2M project has been invited by the EU to participate in the Bioeconomy week on 14-17 November 2017,as part of the successful EC-projects.
