Project partners

Biosensor s.r.l.

Web page:
http://www.biosensor.it
Contact:
Giovanni Basile - g.basile@biosensor.it
Biosensor S.r.l.
Viale Tivoli Km 18.642
00018 Palombara Sabina (Rome) - Italy

Resources
Founded in September 2003, Biosensor Srl provides expertise in design, prototype fabrication, calibration, testing and product engineering of miniaturized modular automated instruments for biotechnology, agrofood, environmental monitoring, biomedical applications. In collaboration with DAS s.r.l, Biosensor has developed Multiband and Multicell arrays Fluorescence Measurement Systems, amperometric biosystems, biofreezers and biocontainers and photobioreactors for in-vitro cells cultures growth. Biosensor is industrial partner of CNR, ENEA and the University of Udine within the MoMa (From Molecules to Man) project, sponsored by the Italian Space Agency (ASI).

DropSens, S.L.

Web page:
http://www.dropsens.com
Contact:
David Hernandez Santos - dhernandez@dropsens.com
DropSens, S.L.
Edif. SCTs, Local 5 - El Cristo
33006 Oviedo (Asturias) – Spain

Resources
DROPSENS S.L. is a New Technology-Based Firm (NTBF), with sales around the world (Spain, United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, Romania, USA, Tunisia, Korea and India), that develops and commercializes electrochemical biosensors based on thick-film hybrid technology (screen-printed electrodes). In combination with portable instrumentation, these biosensors use micro-volume samples and are employed in clinical analysis and environmental control sectors. The main R&D lines are focused on the development of products based on the miniaturization of electrochemical systems, Point Of Care biosensors and electrochemistry based research projects. The company uses different technologies for the development and validation of enzymatic sensors, immunosensors, DNA sensors, advanced Screen-Printing and nanostructuring and modification of electrodic surfaces followed by nanomaterials characterization. The main commercial activity is now focused on different models of screen-printed electrodes (carbon, gold) having similar properties (disposable, small and portable, user-friendly for non-qualified personnel).

Uniscan Instruments Ltd

Web page:
http://www.uniscan.com
Contact:
Graham Johnson - graham.johnson@uniscan.co.uk
Uniscan Instruments Ltd
Sigma House, Burlow Rd,
Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 9JB, UK

Resources
Uniscan Instruments is a world leader of innovative measuring instruments for electrochemistry and surface metrology. SRET (a Scanning Probe Electrochemical Analysis System) and its variations (Scanning Vibrating Probe and Kelvin Probe systems, Localised Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy system, Scanning Electrochemical Microscope), together with the OSP series of Non-Contact Surface Profiling and Measurement Instruments, are among the most relevant Uniscan’s products. Expertise in Micro-Controller engineering and knowledge of low noise, Voltage and Current measurement design, have allowed small and powerful potentiostats, useful for a full suite of electrochemical analysis techniques, to be developed. Uniscan has won several competitive awards for research, technical innovation, export and business development and have supplied instrumentation to some of the world’s premier research laboratories such as NASA, Seiko, Monsanto, Rockwell Collins and Bosch, as well as many smaller manufacturing organisations. Uniscan has been and is currently involved in a number of successful Projects, such as Framework 5 and 6 (EU funded projects), UK DTI, DEFRA and MEDLINK. Uniscan’s management team has several decades of experience in research, development, production and international marketing. The company sponsors research at several Universities.

National Council of Research - Institute of Crystallography

Web page:
http://www.ic-rm.mlib.cnr.it
Contact:
Dr.Maria Teresa Giardi - giardi@mlib.cnr.it
National Council of Research - Institute of Crystallography
Via Salaria Km 29,300
00016 Montelibretti (Rome) Italy

Resources
The CNR-IC group has experience in plant physiology and phytochemistry oriented to the development of advanced sensors and biosensors for agricultural and environmental applications. In addition, the group has experience in the biochemical characterization of plant enzymes, proteins and secondary metabolites as well as in molecular design and bioinformatics. The above expertise has been recognized at international level as demonstrated by the number of high quality publications and issues patents. It has a direct institutional interface with industries for the development of miniature size prototypes. As an example the commercialization of biosensors for monitoring pollutants is a patented technology. Some systems have been found to be reliable in the market and have found application for the direct analysis of complex matrices, such as water and food.

University of Perpignan- BIOMEM, Biocapteurs et Membranes

Web page:
http://www.univ-perp.fr
Contact:
Prof. Thierry Noguer - noguer@univ-perp.fr
Université de Perpignan – BIOMEM, Centre de Phytopharmacie
52 avenue Paul Alduy
66860 Perpignan, Cedex, France

Resources
The “Biomem” team is involved in the development of biosensors for the detection of pesticides and toxins in the agrofood and water monitoring fields. The group has an excellent expertise in the field of biosensors and is able to develop methods for the stabilization of biological receptors based on chemical modification, addition of organic molecules and mild immobilization methods. The group has good skills in enzymology, immobilization, chemical modification, heterogeneous catalysis, enzyme stabilization, extraction and purification of biological receptors and is also specialized in the development of biosensors using organelles and whole cells. The main research topic concerns the development of sensors for environmental monitoring: detection of photosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides by immobilized photosynthetic materials, detection of organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides based on inhibition of cholinesterases, detection of dithiocarbamate fungicides and methyl isothiocyanate based on aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition, detection of microcystines and anatoxin a using protein phosphatase and acetylcholinesterase inhibition, respectively. The team is also involved in the elaboration of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) to improve the specificity and the sensitivity of environmental biosensors. Biomem is partner of companies developing commercial biosensors like Neosens in France or Lab Bell in Canada.

EADS - European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company

Web page:
http://www.eads.net
Contact:
Andreas Helwig - andreas.helwig@eads.net
EADS Deutschland GmbH - Innovation Works IW-SI
81663 Munich, Germany

Resources
EADS is Europe's premier aerospace and defence company and No. 2 worldwide. The department of Sensors, Electronics and Systems Integration (IW-SI) consists of ca. 70 researchers, engineers and technicians. The department has a long history on MEMS based sensor technologies and enjoys a very good reputation in the fields of inertial sensors, chemical and gas sensors, robust microsystems and microfluidic components. It is especially experienced in building sensor based functional prototypes for demonstration purposes and in integrating advanced sensor applications into existing systems. The department has already successfully managed and performed several European joint projects. Long term partnerships with external research organisations, and in particular with academic laboratories, is a key element of the innovation strategy of the Group and IW, evidenced in some areas by the creation of joint research laboratories. EADS is a worldwide leader on several markets: commercial space launchers (Ariane), commercial and military helicopters (Eurocopter), commercial aircraft (Airbus), missiles (MBDA, LFK), satellites (Astrium), military aircraft (43% of Eurofighter, 46.5% of Dassault) and military transport aircraft. EADS employs more than 100,000 people at over 70 sites in France (37%), Germany (35%), Great Britain and Spain. EADS Innovation Works (IW), with sites in France and Germany with 70% of senior scientists staff, provides world-class research capabilities in main aeronautics research topics such as materials, processes, structure engineering, systems environment and information technologies for engineering.

Vitens N.V.

Web page:
http://www.vitens.nl
Contact:
Wouter van Delft - wouter.vandelft@vitens.nl
Vitens Water Technology
Snekertrekweg 61
8912 AA Leeuwarden
P.O. Box 1090, 8200 BB Lelystad, The Netherlands

Resources
Vitens supplies water to 5,4 million domestic and business consumers in the provinces Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Utrecht, Overijssel and several municipalities in the provinces Drenthe and Noord-Holland, making it the largest water company in the Netherlands.
Vitens aims to lead the field in the Dutch water industry, in drinking-water services and the industrial water market and in international projects.
As a public water undertaking Vitens has a duty to protect the interests of all its stakeholders – customers, employees, shareholders and society at large – who recognise Vitens as a first class water company that operates efficiently and is fully conscious of its corporate social responsibility.
VITENS’ state-of-the-art laboratories for water analysis work on advanced automatic technologies and attract international interest.

RIVM - National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

Web page:
http://www.rivm.nl
Contact:
Ben Tangena - ben.tangena@rivm.nl
PO Box 1
3720 BA Bilthoven
The Netherlands

Resources
RIVM is an autonomous research institute for policy support related to public health and the environment. RIVM serves as the Dutch government centre of expertise for both the environment and nature conservation and has national responsibilities in respect of public health and environmental emergencies. The institute has its own organisations for radiation and environmental accidents (National Environmental Incident Services) and a National Poison Information Centre. Task of the Environmental Incident Services is exposure-assessment and health impact assessment. For this aim the service can dispose of advanced laboratory and field-measurement techniques and medical, toxicological, industrial safety, radiation and microbiological expertise. Concerning drinking water protection, RIVM is responsible for the governmental tasks on preparation and response to emergencies, including CBRN-attacks. Key expertise of the institute includes scenario building and risk assessment, sampling and detection methods for emerging and threat contaminants and first responder capabilities. It has a Bio Safety Level 3 laboratory facility for analysis of pathogens. RIVM has a broad experience in projects within the European Framework Programs.

Contacts