Project description
Paper-based diagnostics could remove current barriers to widespread field tests
Nucleic acids (including deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA and ribonucleic acid or RNA) are found in all cells and viruses. Nucleic acid amplification tests are increasingly used to facilitate detection of the DNA or RNA associated with bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens even when present in very small quantities. However, they are still relatively complex and expensive for widespread use in point-of-care (POC) rapid diagnostic systems. IPANEMA has formed a large network of multidisciplinary expertise to rapidly realise the potential of paper-based microfluidic platforms. With partners in Europe, the US, and third countries that includes SMEs and academics, IPANEMA is working on several different technologies that can be integrated with smart phones for sophisticated yet cost-effective and easy-to-use POC diagnostics.
Objective
Twelve-member IPANEMA consortium implements competences of participating academic & industry beneficiaries
and 3rd country partners to 1) create a knowledge/experience-sharing network of scientists, entrepreneurs & endusers
in the multidisciplinary field of biosensors for POCT (point-of care testing); 2) develop innovative bottom-up
approaches for fabrication of low-cost POCT devices & implementation of paper-based nucleic acid testing (NAT);
3) pursue applications in 3 important industry sectors – healthcare, agrifood & environmental monitoring. Research
& Innovation (R&I) activities will be focused on developing low-cost paper-based isothermal NATs, their integration
into microfluidic devices and optimization for use in a) tissue engineering b) agrifood (poultry/plant/fungal) pathogen
detection c) detection of toxigenic freshwater Cyanobacteria causing harmful algal blooms. Secondments & trainings
will enable researchers to acquire both technical & soft skills needed for converting scientific knowledge & ideas
into products & services. Strong involvement of 4 SME partners from Serbia, Israel, France & US contributing their
proprietary knowledge on revolutionary novel materials for microfluidic devices & DNA extraction kits, domain
expertise in agrifood sector, unique portable sensing systems & handheld devices for isoNAT quantification, will help
researchers focus their efforts on development of innovative products for real-life use. Several transducing methods
(colorimetric, fluorescence, SPR, electrochemical, microwave & magnetic) and smartphone-based read-out methods
will be investigated for POCT use. Renowned beneficiaries including academic INRAE, WU, INESC MN, BGU,
UNSPMF & BIOS together with 3rd country academic partners: Columbia University and Xi'an Jiaotong University,
will provide transfer of cutting-edge knowledge and technical expertise in effect yielding good basis for long term
collaboration and joint R&I projects.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesclassical mechanicsfluid mechanicsmicrofluidics
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsbiosensors
- engineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybiosensing
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesnucleic acids
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologytissue engineering
Keywords
Programme(s)
Coordinator
21000 Novi Sad
Serbia