Next Generation instrument for in-depth mitochondrial status analyses

Project Information

NextGen-O2k

Grant agreement ID: 807889

DOI

10.3030/807889

Project closed

EC signature date 31 January 2018

Start date 1 February 2018

End date 31 May 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Nanotechnologies

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

OROBOROS INSTRUMENTS GmbH
Austria

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NextGen-O2k (Next Generation instrument for in-depth mitochondrial status analyses)

Reporting period: 2018-02-01 to 2018-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Mitochondria are important organelles that, besides of being the cellular energy source, are also involved in key metabolic and regulatory processes. Dysfunction in mitochondrial activity has a big impact in cellular physiology. In fact, recent discoveries have linked mitochondrial impairment with many pathological states, such as diabetes, cancer or neurological diseases. However, our understanding of the mitochondrial role in the development of these diseases is very limited, hindering therapeutic potential of mitochondria. The research instruments to study mitochondrial function are far from ideal and present several drawbacks: segmented information, low cost-effectiveness and sensitivity, poor resolution and introduction of systematic errors.
To solve this problem, Oroboros has designed a unique multi-sensor instrument to study mitochondrial function, the NextGen-O2k. We have used our core technology of High resolution FluoRespirometry to study oxygen flux, and added 4 new modules to study key aspects of mitochondrial bioenergetics. The NextGen-O2k gives a detailed snapshot of mitochondrial bioenergetics that can be used as a fingerprint of mitochondrial activity. It offers several advantages: “all in one” multi-parameter analysis, highest oxygen concentration resolution in the market, optimized cost-effectiveness and minimization of experimental errors.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

We have performed a study to confirm viability of NextGen-O2k i) technically we designed final prototype and integration of hardware and software, ii) commercially we carried out a study of life science and mitochondrial research instruments, and iii) financially, we updated our business plan and confirmed project’s profitability.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

NextGen-O2k aims to revolutionize the mitochondrial research field, helping scientists to unravel the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial-associated diseases. On the long-term, we aim to develop a medical device based on NextGen-O2k for diagnosis and follow-up of several pathologies.

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