Micro- and nanotechnologies for the development of smart sensors
GAIKER is participating in the SMARTµS project, which will develop electrochemical sensors based on advanced genetic detection techniques to identify bacteria and their antibiotic resistance genes.
This project addresses various scientific and technological challenges related to the manufacture of microsystems aimed at enhancing their application in Industry 4.0. Its objective is to generate knowledge in the development of measurement and transduction principles that guarantee high sensitivity and specificity detection, based on various physical principles. To this end, it will integrate micro- and nanostructures with different functionalities into the transducer, which will be created using advanced micro- and nanofabrication technologies.
GAIKER has solid experience in biotechnology (biodetection and biomedicine), nanotechnology and advanced materials, with applications in environmental sustainability, the agri-food sector and health. Within the framework of SMARTµS, it leads task 2, focused on the development of electrochemical sensors for the detection of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), Listeria monocytogenes and Legionella spp.) combining LAMP genetic amplification and CRISPR-Cas technology. This approach is particularly relevant, as there are currently no sensors based on the proposed technologies for the detection of these pathogens.
The sensors developed will be applied mainly in agri-food production (dairy, meat and fish processing, beverages, among others), as well as in the promotion of technology-based companies specialising in microfluidics applied to in vitro diagnostics (IVD), surface biofunctionalisation and flexible electrochemistry, among other strategic sectors.
