What is Symbiotic?
Biosensors have the ability to recognize specific molecules (biomarkers) that indicate health conditions, such as cancer. However their use is limited by the need to have them connected to an electricity generator system.
The Symbiotic project aims to develop an autonomous electrochemical biosensor that is lightweight, disposable and low cost by using an innovative approach: hosting its bioreceptor element inside a passive direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). This will allow to build an electrically independent, very simple, miniaturized, autonomous electrical biosensor. This work proposes a merge between electrical biosensors and fuel cells, combining the advantages of both areas of research in a single synergetic device.
In this envisaged innovative device, the electrical signal obtained from the DMFC is directly related to the concentration of the cancer biomarker in the sample analyzed. The proposed electrochemical biosensor will be completely autonomous.
Latest News
Project second review
The second review of the Symbiotic project took place on January 29, 2019, at ISEP’s premises in Porto, Portugal. All the consortium partners, plus the supporting organisation INOVA+, were present. The review included... READ MORE
Symbiotic project eighth meeting
Having requested a 6 month extension to better develop the ongoing work, the Symbiotic consortium decided to organize an extra meeting on September 6, 2018, again at UNINOVA’s premises in Lisbon, Portugal. The... READ MORE
Symbiotic project seventh meeting
The seventh meeting of the Symbiotic project took place on November 15, 2017, at UNINOVA’s premises in Lisbon, Portugal. The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss the ongoing work, plan the... READ MORE
Symbiotic project sixth meeting
The sixth meeting of the Symbiotic project took place on June 6, 2017, at VTT’s premises in Helsinki, Finland. The objective of this meeting was to discuss the progress of the work, the... READ MORE