R&D Projects
Driving Innovation in Diagnostics and Analytics Through Research and Expertise
ARTHROSIS-ON-A-CHIP
System Engineering and Validation of a Microphysiological System Platform for Disease Modeling of Osteoarthrosis
Project information:
- Funded by: EFRE – Program 2021-2027 Thuringia
- Grant agreement ID: 1000237/ 2023 VFE 0043
- Project period: 01.12.2023 – 30.11.2026
- Project partners: Uniklinikum Jena, IBA Heiligenstadt
The aim of the research project “Arthrose-on-a-Chip” is to develop a chip-based arthrosis model. In this process, arthrosis, i.e., cartilage damage, is artificially induced on the chip. Subsequently, potential active substances can be tested on it. This system is intended to contribute to the reduction or even replacement of animal testing in the future.
The project “System Engineering and Validation of a Microphysiological System Platform for Disease Modeling of Osteoarthrosis – Arthrosis-on-a-Chip” is co-financed by the Free State of Thuringia with funds from the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE).
UNLOOC
Collaborative Project: Sensor Platform for Biomedical Microchips
Project information:
- Funded by: CHIPS JU (ex. KDT JU)
- Grant agreement ID: 101140192 / 16MEE0475T / 2024 ECS 0002
- Project period: 01.05.2024-30.04.2027
- Project partners: in total 51, including: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Philips Electronics Netherlands BV
UNLOOC is a 3-year project tackling the challenge inherent in animal testing of drugs. It brings together 51 organisations from 10 European countries. It is aiming to demonstrate through its five novel use cases how the groundbreaking methods using Organ-on-a-Chip (OOC) technology enable the development of more effective treatments, leaving animal subjects out of the equation. The OOC technology to be developed in the UNLOOC project will not only enable controlled drug testing, but also the modelling of disease pathophysiology.
MOCHA
Mobile Organ-on-Chip Analytics
Project information:
- Funded by: EFRE – Program 2021 – 2027 Thuringia
- Grant agreement ID: 1001820 / 2024 VFE 0052
- Project period: 01.07.2024-30.06.2027
- Project partners: including Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
The Organ-on-Chip technology merges microfluidics with 3D cell cultures, spheroids, and organoids to simulate an in vivo-like environment. Current systems rely on complex lab infrastructure and cannot integrate multiparametric sensors. The collaborative project ‘Mobile Organ-on-Chip Analytics’ (MOCHA) aims to develop a compact, chip-based analysis unit that incorporates both optical and non-optical methods for comprehensive monitoring.
Organ-on-Chip systems are key to advancing drug research by enabling safer, faster, and more cost-effective development using human cells. They also serve as models for disease and chemical risk assessment. This project is co-financed by the Free State of Thuringia with funds from the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE).
3D-ToCA
Automated 3D-Tumor-on-a-Chip-Analysis
Project information:
- Funded by: EFRE – Program 2021 – 2027 Thuringia
- Grant agreement ID: 1001709 / 2024 VFE 0063
- Project period: 01.08.2024-31.07.2027
- Project partners: including Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Dyomics GmbH, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Bioprozess- und Analysemesstechnik e.V.
The project ‘Automated 3D-Tumor-on-a-Chip-Analysis’ (3D-ToCA) aims to develop a generic system solution based on 3D Organ-on-Chip technology and implement two tumor models to improve cancer therapy research. In this collaborative project, microfluidic ChipShop is responsible for the Tumor-on-Chip platform, which will feature high parallelization, easy handling, automated fluid management, integrated sensors, and long-term autonomous cultivation.
By combining the 3D-ToCA platform with biological and chemical methods, the project will enable the study of tumor evolution and drug testing using patient-derived material. This multidisciplinary approach links cutting-edge biotechnology with AI-powered analysis, offering significant potential for applications in pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and cancer research. This project is co-financed by the Free State of Thuringia with funds from the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE).
AGRARSENSE
Intelligent electronic components and systems for data-based agriculture and forestry
Project information:
- Funded by: KDT JU (Key Digital Technologies)
- Grant agreement ID: 101095835 / 16MEE0280T / 2022 ECS 0002
- Project period: 01.01.2023 – 31.12.2025
- Project partners: in total 51, including CSEM, Fraunhofer IZM, TU Delft
AGRARSENSE is a large 3-year Chips Joint Undertaking consortium project which brings together 51 partners from 14 countries, including large enterprises, SMEs, and research organizations, with the common goal of advancing microelectronics and sensor technology for agriculture.
Food security has become an increasing concern due to a mixed bag of factors that include climate change, fragile supply chains and agricultural activity. In fact, the increase in agricultural production to nourish a growing global population has highlighted the need for innovative solutions. With this in mind, the project aims to develop automated agricultural tools and improved sensor technology to enhance efficiency and safeguard value chains.
We contribute with our expertise by integrating microfluidics in agricultural monitoring for AGRARSENSE. At the forefront is our ChipGenie® Edition E2, a compact lab device for capillary electrophoresis enabling microfluidic-based detection of cations and anions across various agricultural applications, while at the same time reducing chemical waste.
The EU-funded AGRARSENSE project will combine the efforts of all partners to develop several technologies like automated agricultural tools and improved sensor technology that will help improve efficiency and protect value chains.
