Consortium
The KERMIT Project consortium is composed of a highly distinguished team from five leading research institutes, one industry partner, and one patient association which combine their perfectly balanced and complementary scientific expertise ranging from biosensor development and nephrology diagnostics to th
Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) is an RTO established with the aim to become a top European re-search center for Electronic Based Systems (EBS). EBS are components, assemblies and devices with microelectronics and nanoelectronics, systems as well as embedded software, that form the technological backbone of digitalization. Currently, SAL research staff comprises of over 300 people at pre- and postdoctoral level, which shall increase to 1000 within the next decade, distributed across the three different sites Graz, Linz and Villach.
SAL is the coordinator of the project KERMIT and in charge of the project management and the integration of printed sensors, sweat generation and collection system, and single silicon-based microchip into a sensing patch for the simplified detection of kidney disease metabolites from sweat. In this project, SAL aims to develop a scalable and standardized printing process for the different functional systems to reduce costs and ensure compatibility with well established manufacturing processes while establishing a basis for simplified disease diagnostics with a place-and-forget approach with the integrated sensing patches.
Key Contributions
SAL will make a major contribution to all the work packages (WPs). The main tasks include the leadership and coordination in WP1 (Project Management) and WP4 (), with participation in WP2 (Sensor Development), WP3 (Chip development), WP5 (Clinical Studies) , WP6 (Dissemination and Exploitation) and WP7 (Portfolio activities). . In this project, SAL aims to develop an iontophotesis module with soft microfluidics for sweat collection and generation, printed sensors for kidney metabolites with the specifications from WP2, a printed antenna and conductive tracks for sensor readout with the specifications from the microchip developed in WP3. SAL will integrate this systems into a small area footprint system with biocompatible materials which then will be tested in WP5. SAL will also overlook the dissemination and exploitation of results and participation with projects from the Horizon Europe towards the healthcare continuum portfolio alongside all partners.
The Institute of Clinical Physiology at National Research Council (CNR) is a centre for basic, technological, clinical, and epidemiological research. CNR strength is in the different professional profiles of its personnel that includes more than 100 permanent researchers and about 150 pre- and postdoctoral personnel such as engineers, chemists, biologists, doctors, IT specialists, biostatisticians, physicists, mathematicians, economists, psychologists, and communication experts. The main areas of CNR research are: 1) Bio-Techno-Science and Modelling, 2) Preclinical Biology and Mechanism of Disease, 3) Clinical Pathophysiology and Health Risk Factors, and 4) Epidemiology and Health Promotion.
CNR is responsible for the detection of three markers in sweat by the development of biosensors for Creatinine and Cystatin C, and an electrochemical sensor for urea. CNR will investigate combining biomolecules, 2D nanomaterials, and conductive polymer s to enhance the (bio)sensors sensitivity. Within KERMIT, CNR aims to establish a wearable biosensing platform for detecting biomarkers in sweat and prove that this platform can provide results of clinical significance using novel approaches for developing (bio)sensors.
Key Contributions
CNR is involved in all KERMIT WPs and in particular is responsible of WP2 – Sensor Development. CNR will develop an electrochemical cell to immobilize where three (bio)sensors will be fabricated. Conductive electrodes will be coated with a thin layer of a 2D material (e.g., graphene, MAXenes, or transition metal dichalcogenides) and functionalized with biomolecules (e.g., aptamers or peptides to detect creatinine and cystatin c using click chemistry bioconjugation or biorthogonal reactions), or electroactive materials sensitive to changes in urea concentration. CNR is also actively involved in the development of the modules for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and iontophoresis (WP3), and will help performing clinical trials (WP5).
The University of Pisa (UNIPI), founded in 1343, is among the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. Today it is a prestigious modern center of teaching and advanced research, and it ranks among the best Italian Universities and among the top 200 universities in the world according to the most recent Shanghai Ranking ARWU (2019). UNIPI has a rich source of innovation within over 200 labs and 20 departments, which span all areas of science and technology.
The Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (DCCI) has considerable experience and widespread competences in many areas of Chemistry and Materials Science. Amongst the many sectors in which it excels, there are the following: Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Thermodynamics and Thermal Analysis, NMR and Optical Spectroscopies, Organic and Inorganic Synthesis, Biologically Active Compounds, Catalysis, Nano- and biomaterials, Polymer sciences, Sensors, Cultural Heritage, Environment and Health, Clinical Chemistry. Chemical studies at the University of Pisa promote extensive academic and applied research with numerous partnerships within national and EU projects. DCCI has considerable experience in the field of analytical chemistry, with the aim to develop analytical approaches and devices for health care and medical monitoring, as well as a large network of collaborations.
Key Contributions
UNIPI is in charge of the validation of the sensors that will be developed within the KERMIT project. In details, UNIPI will develop and validate analytical protocols for a reliable determination of urea, cystatin-C, and creatinine based on traditional instruments (e.g., LC-MS) to be used as reference methods for validating sensors and for testing the stability of the target analytes.
UNIPI will make a major contribution to WP2 (Sensor Development) where sensors will be validated evaluating its analytical performances. Moreover, real sweat samples will be analyzed in parallel with both sensors and reference methods.
University of Ioannina (UOI) is a distinguished academic institution located in Ioannina, Greece. Established in 1964, UOI represents a dynamic center of education and research. Faculty of Medicine of the School of Health Sciences at the UOI, was founded in 1977. After nearly half a century, with a diverse array of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, Faculty of Medicine is well recognized for its commitment to academic excellence and contributions across various fields of medicine, both in Greece and abroad. The Nephrology Department of UOI, established at the University Hospital of Ioannina, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases providing high standard healthcare services. Moreover, the Nephrology Dept plays a pivotal role in advancing nephrology research by participating in an number of clinical trials, national and international research projects .
Key Contributions
UOI is the leader of WP5 and participates in WP1 (Project Management) and WP2 (Senor Development). The OUI Nephrology Department plays a pivotal role in the project by designing and conducting the clinical study protocol. UOI will manage patient enrollment, collect clinical data, and assess sensor’s performance within the context of nephrology applications. Additionally, UOI is responsible for gathering patient and doctors feedback to validate sensor’s effectiveness and usability.
Infineon Austria a world-leading provider of semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer, and greener. Microelectronics from Infineon reduce the energy consumption of consumer electronics, domestic appliances, and industrial facilities. They make a major contribution to the convenience, security, and sustainability of vehicles, and enable secure transactions in the Internet of Things.
Key Contributions
in WP3, Infineon contributes to the development of a CMOS 130nm semiconductor process for for prototyping proof-of-concept microchips that integrate the different functions including multiplexed potentiostatic sensor readout, power management, RF and NFC interface, and external component control.
Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) is a prestigious academic institution located in Graz, Austria. Founded in 1811, TU Graz has established itself as a leading center of excellence in education and research.The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across various fields of science and engineering, making it a hub for innovation and academic excellence in Austria and beyond.
One of TU Graz's notable contributions is its active participation in cutting-edge research and development projects. In particular, TU Graz has been a crucial partner in CMOS technology integration, where its expertise and dedication have played a pivotal role in achieving significant milestones and breakthroughs. The institution's commitment to fostering collaboration and pushing the boundaries of knowledge make it an invaluable partner in any project.
Key Contributions
The Fundacja MY Pacjenci was established in 2012 to improve the quality of healthcare services in Poland as well as educate and promote health by building a platform of understanding and cooperation among various sectors (the government, local government, business, science, non-government etc.) and stakeholders. It looks to achieve effective implementation of healthcare projects. with particular emphasis on the needs of patients.
The Foundation acts as an entity gathering experts of various fields of medicine and related sciences, i.e., medical law, healthcare system, reimbursement system and pharmacoeconomics to support patients’ organizations and other entities’ efforts in improving quality of healthcare in Poland and availability of healthcare services.
The Foundation not only facilitates dialogue between various groups of stakeholders in healthcare, but also provides trainings and data acquire in conducted research. We present the results of the research in an accessible and understandable way and prepare materials for patients, their organizations and healthcare professionals. It’s difficult to find an organization with a similar profile among non-governmental organizations operating in a healthcare sector.