BL4-3 Pep4Sense

The aim of the Pep4Sense project is to revolutionize the application of surface plasmon resonance, or SPR, technology for in-vitro diagnostics. SPR techniques are a “gold standard” for the study of molecular interactions, but the materials and processes used to manufacture sensor chips have remained unchanged for decades and are neither sustainable nor future-oriented; furthermore, high costs per test are incurred for the analysis of clinically relevant analytes or therapeutic compounds.

Pep4Sense envisions the use of energy-efficient, biogenic materials for the production of sensor chips, which will significantly reduce the cost per diagnostic test. While organic and biogenic polymers will replace the use of high refractive index glass, conventional, chemistry-oriented, costly processes for the realization of biosensor layers will be replaced by the cost-effective - costing only 1 Eurocent per m2 - and scalable adhesion-mediated peptide technology. Such peptides will bind specifically to the SPR interfaces and be used with affibody constructs as specific receptors for biomarker detection of, for example, liver cancer and influenza viruses.

Overall, this project aims at a high technology readiness level (TRL) development of our combined platforms, their conformity assessment for laboratory and diagnostic use and the creation of prototypes for near-market solutions for a cost-efficient and sustainable SPR technology.