Funding

The Swedish Scientific Research Council 2011-2015

Intelligent nanobioreactors for auto-switchable bio-catalysis.This 4-year programme is studying the design and development of novel auto-switchable nanobioreactors to produce positively responding nano-surfaces by creating unique "zipper" nanoarchitectures. The zipper consists of a polymeric donor branch and a polymeric receptor branch, which are being rationally assembled based in a stoichiometric donor-receptor interaction. Model reactions, with applications in both analysis (e.g. biosensors) and energy production, (e.g. biological fuel cells) are being studied as proof-of-principle platforms in the areas of bioanalysis and biocatalysis.

EU IRSES, Smart Cancersens Pirses-GA-2012-318053

Oncologists still rely heavily on biological characterisation of tumours and a limited number of biomarkers which have demonstrated clinical utility. Routine cancer diagnostic tools may not be always sensitive enough and may only detect proteins at levels corresponding to an advanced stage of the disease. Recently, new genomic and proteomic molecular tools (molecular signatures) are being employed which include genetic and epigenetic signatures, changes in gene expression, protein profiles and post-translational modification of proteins. Such advanced diagnostic tools are not always readily adapted to clinical cancer screening due to their complexity, costs and the requirement for highly-qualified operators. Novel bioanalytical methodologies for detection of specific biomarkers/ biomolecules, based on nanostructured electronic sensors (rapid, sensitive devices capable of miniaturisation and deployment on site or in small clinics), fulfil the necessary requirements and have the potential to compliment time and labour consuming clinical analysers used in medical laboratories currently. The primary objective of this 4-year programmel, therefore, is to gather together an international and interdisciplinary consortium of ten research teams from EU Member States, Third (including ENP) countries with EU agreements on S&T, in order to share and jointly exploit knowledge and expertise in the development of micro/nanosensors as tools in early cancer diagnosis. A key scientific target is the realisation of intelligent electronic devices which respond to biomolecules such as formaldehyde, amines, metal ions, saccharides, activities of amine oxidases, arginase and glutathione-S-transferase. This will entail design, development and characterisation of nano-scale transducers suitable for testing in clinical samples.

Innovationbron, Stress Monitoring, Project # 900394 and New Tools for Health

This project is exploring the commercialisation of a biosensor device to monitor physiological stress. Salivary Amylase has been correlated as a physiological stress marker and furnishes the opportunity to develop a range of clinical tools to improve patient care and quality of life at reduced cost.

Swedish Institute

There is ever increasing demand for fast and sensitive methods for the determination of various analytes present in biological liquids and foods. Biosensors are one of the most suitable devices to deliver the required analyses due to their selectivity, fast response, portability and low cost. This project is developing novel electroanalytical systems for determination of cholesterol, based on Prussian Blue nano-scaled films on screen-printed electrodes. Stabilisation of Prussian Blue-modified electrodes is being achieved within polymeric/sol-gel membranes for operation in water-organic mixtures with high content of organic solvent.

Vinnova 2011-2013

The project Robust & Indiviuell IT för gråa pantrar is seeking to develop and demonstrate a system that can detect and warn of accidents or precursors of accidents in the home environment, through early detection coupled with a decision support system, sending an alert with information about the situation to an auxiliary instance. 

The project is motivated mainly by the aging population in Sweden. It leads to both increased costs to society and greater demands on health professionals. A detection system would allow older people to continue living in their homes longer with increased/maintained security. The system could also be used in nursing homes and hospitals to help the staff. 

In recent years, major technological advances are made in wireless communications; miniaturization of biosensors and new "smart" multifunctional materials, at the same time as computing power has increased. All these areas are well represented in terms of competence within Swedish UoH, research institutes and industry. However, the areas have developed more or less independently of each other. The technology has now matured and a growing number of products on the market can be integrated with each other. There are no comprehensive solutions available today, but many products

as security alarms, GPS to find lost people, digital pill boxes and glued on biosensors ("fake tattoos") is now technically advanced.

Robust & Individuell IT för gråa pantrar developed a concept for integration of sensors in a Body Area Network, (BAN) used to detect abnormalities. When an anomaly is detected the intended system must pay attention to this. The project focus has been on the inventory of potential technologies to be integrated into the proposed system.

CMST COST Action TD1003 Bioinspired nanotechnologies: from concepts to applications

Nature has an extraordinary ability to assemble complex nanostructures that have specialised tasks. Our own capacity to do so and therefore the potential to produce and use features with nanometer scale is still limited. Development of such opportunities is an important goal for nanotechnology and materials science. As an example, DNA appears to be an attractive tool for nano-science and - technology. Base pairs of DNA can be translated into binary sequences for organising nanomaterials in a prescribed manner. DNA can be used to control the position and the bonding between molecules and materials in complex design structures. Other examples are related to the use of cells, viruses and organelles for the production of materials, surface modification and more. The present COST initiative is designed to use bio-inspired materials far beyond just a "proof-of-concept stage to accelerate the combination of" top-down and bottom-up "production of new functional components to be used for new development in medicine and health, energy, environment, micro-electronic nano-systems (Moore's Law now faces its first both physical and theoretical constraints). This approach paves the way to manufacture complex (molecular) nanostructures, to address them and integrate them into a functional component. A success in such a multi-science initiative requires consortia of a size and expertise that far exceeds what is possible at the national level. European consortia are necessary to quickly achieve the desired objectives.

MPNS COST action MP1003 European Scientific Network for Artificial Muscles.

ESNAM is primarily aimed at fostering scientific and technological advancement of artificial muscles and muscle-like transducers, based on Electromechanically Active Polymers (EAPs) as smart materials for electromechanical transduction (actuation, sensing and energy harvesting). The network is established among leading European research institutes and industries with consolidated and recognised expertise in this field, as well as in possible areas of application.

In order to improve progress in the broad field of EAP science and technologies, and their applications, the objectives of ESNAM include amongst others:

- coordination and promotion of joint research projects;

- classification, organization and dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge;

- standardisation of methods, techniques and processes;

- scientific training and support of early-stage researchers;

- creation of a platform facilitating collaboration among research centres and companies;

- definition of a road-map targeting wide-spread industrial use of EAP based artificial muscles in Europe.

FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IIF Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships" Stimuli-responsive Zipper-like Nanobioreactors (SMART, proj. ref. 254955)

Our current nanobioreactor research is focussed on the fabrication of simple-to-use, inexpensive and ultra-sensitive devices which are highly selective, sensitive and stable. Thus, the fundamental goal of this research project is to design, develop and verify a novel bioreactor with self-control abilities for advanced applications (e.g. switchable bio-catalysis) utilising nanotechnology. This subject will be exploited by developing stimuli-responsive nanomaterials to construct zipper-like nanobioreactors, which could bring more attractive advantages: (i) ease of preparation; (ii) auto-switchable structure in contact with external stimuli; (iii) fast responsive/sensing time; (iv) high selectivity and sensitivity; (v) excellent storage stability; and (vi) cost-effectiveness. In addition, the project has developed some other novel methodologies and application strategies, which include molecular self-assembly, monitoring of dynamic phase transition and bio-catalytic analysis and characterisations.