Consortium
PHOENIX-OoC consortium was born by merging different skills gathered from analytical chemistry, computational chemistry, cell biology, pathological model development, drug and toxicology studies, materials science, (bio)sensors, electrochemistry, microfluidics, and printing techniques.
Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata (UNITOV)
University of Rome Tor Vergata was established in 1982 and is therefore a relatively young University. It was designed on the model of Anglo-Saxon campuses: it stretches on 600 hectares and hosts important research institutions, such as National Research Council – CNR and the Italian Space Agency – ASI. The Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies (DSTC) of the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” offers study and research opportunities in the chemical sciences. Chemistry is a central science for sustainable development: our research aims to improve quality of life through the investigation of most aspects of modern chemistry and its applications through both theoretical and experimental methods. We investigate the development of innovative synthesis processes and more effective catalysts, of new materials and devices, sustainable energy production and storage, the processes occurring in complex natural systems, the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases and much more. This broad spectrum of activities reflects the interdisciplinary background of the DSTC faculty and staff which covers analytical, inorganic, organic, physical and applied chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and materials science. Such a variety of interests, combined with challenging graduate subjects and an extensive seminar program, provides our students with the foundations needed for a meaningful professional career and a lifetime of independent learning. In the most recent Evaluation of the Quality of Research (VQR) for the years 2015-2019, carried out by the National Agency for Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes (ANVUR), VQR 2015 – 2019, the DSTC qualified as one of the 11 Italian Departments of Excellence funded in the Chemical Sciences area thanks to the 5-years project X-CHEM: eXpanding CHEMistry: implementing excellence in research and teaching”.
Contact Person:
Prof. Dr. Fabiana Arduini
Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC-CERCA)
The Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) born in 2005 is a leading-edge multidisciplinary research centre based in Barcelona that conducts excellent interdisciplinary research at the frontiers of basic and life sciences linked with engineering to generate new knowledge and applications by putting together biophysics, cell engineering, nanomedicine, biomaterials, tissue engineering and the applications of information technology to health.
IBEC has achieved a strong international position in biomedical engineering, as well as an increasing portfolio of technology transfer services available to the industrial sector and to the healthcare system. IBEC excellence has been recognized three times, in 2014 and 2018, and recently in 2024, by its award as Severo Ochoa Centre, as one of Spain top centres at the highest international level in terms of research, training, human resources, outreach and technology transfer.
At IBEC, frontier research is combined with specific transfer targets to produce new applied technologies to be used in life and health sciences. We have the versatility to generate excellent research and, at the same time, work with clinicians and industry to develop new diagnostic or treatment systems. IBEC’s model is inspired by a creative, innovative new ecosystem based on interaction between experts in different enabling technologies (nano-bio-info-cogno) to generate new knowledge and engineering solutions in health technology like early diagnosis, new therapies based on regenerative medicine, better quality of life compatible with an ageing population, and technological advances to increase efficiency and make healthcare sustainable.
The knowledge of IBEC is structured in 4 broad topics: NANOMEDICINE, MECHANOBIOLOGY, CELL ENGINEERING and ICT FOR HEALTH with 3 major areas of application: FUTURE AND PRECISION MEDICINE, REGENERATIVE THERAPIES and HEALTHY AGEING.
Contact person:
Dr. Javier Ramón Azcón
Uppsala universitet (UU)
The Uppsala University Partner in Phoenix-OoC project are located within the Ångström Laboratory, which is one of the most modern and advanced materials centers of Europe, with many experimental and theoretical laboratories. Uppsala University was founded in 1477 is consistently ranked among the 100 top universities in the world in established international ranking lists. Our research group belongs to the Structural Chemistry Division at the Department of Chemistry, and our expertise is in computational Materials Chemistry which also involves molecules and intermolecular interaction. We do both applications and model & method development, especially along the theme of multiscale modelling, nowadays often aided by machine learning. Among the many applications are structure and dynamics of solid/liquid interfaces, e.g. in the context of surface reactions, ionic transport and electrochemistry.
Contact person:
Prof. Kersti Hermansson
Faculty of Technical Sciences (FTN)
The University of Novi Sad (UNS), Novi Sad, Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia is the second largest university in Serbia with around 5,000 employees and 50,000 students. Comprehensive, entrepreneurial oriented university with 14 faculties and with 390 accredited study programmes. The Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of electronics (FTS) and Faculty of Medicine are involved in PHOENIX-OoC project. The FTS is a vibrant research and educational institution with around 530 researchers and long-lasting experience in international cooperation and international projects. With over 14000 students and 1000 employees, covering the area of over 35500 m2 divided into 9 buildings, the FTS ranks among the largest and most developed faculties in the region. The faculty is the first to certify its quality management systems according to the international standards EN ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2009 and OHSAS 18001:2007. Since the 1970’s, the FTS has curved out international reputations as a leading research organization in the Western Balkan region, producing some notable results in the field of microfluidics and electronics.
Contact person:
Prof. Dr. Goran Stojanović
Sense4Med s.r.l. (SENSE)
Sense4Med was founded in 2019 to offer development services and specialized R&D activities in the field of sensor technology. The activity of Sense4Med is mainly focused on the sensor and biosensor production using screen-printed electrodes, including the ones printed on green materials such as paper. The development of paper-based electrochemical (bio)sensors addresses the social and economic challenges of the fifth industrial revolution by proposing innovative, high-tech, and sustainable solutions. The company’s core business consists of the idealization, construction, development, and production of innovative sensors and miniaturized devices for applications in the biomedical, environmental, agri-food, and defense fields.
In recent years, Sense4Med has developed a miniaturized electrochemical sensor for the diagnosis and monitoring of Cystic Fibrosis based on the measurement of chloride ions in a few microlitres of sweat. Using an innovative and sustainable approach, the sensor developed by Sense4Med aims to reduce the cost and time of sample analysis while providing more accurate analysis than currently used tests, significantly improving care management by specialized medical centres as well as the quality of life for patients. For this project, SENSE4MED obtained a round of investment of 510,000 euros from Innova Venture and Scientifica Venture Capital.
Contact person:
Dr. Luca Fiore
Universität Basel (UNIBAS)
The University of Basel, founded in 1460, is a renowned institution situated in Basel, Switzerland. Over the centuries, it has become a global hub for academic excellence and innovation, known for its interdisciplinary approach and cutting-edge research. UNIBAS’s prominence extends to fields like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and bioengineering. In the pharmaceuticals and biotech landscape, the University of Basel leverages its strategic location in Europe’s hub for these industries. This enables close collaborations with industry leaders, offering students and researchers invaluable hands-on experience and insights. Ranked among the top universities worldwide, the University of Basel’s academic prowess is evident in its prestigious reputation and notable achievements.
Within University Basel, the Department of Biomedical Engineering (DBE) is a joint venture between the University Hospitals of Basel (USB, UKBB, UZB) and the Medical Faculty and owes its existence to donations from several private foundations and sponsors who recognized the innovative potential of individual researchers and their groups and invested in them. All research groups at the DBE are focused on and successful in driving innovation in biomedical engineering, which is reflected in the founding of start-ups and the filing of patents.
The innovative potential of the DBE continues to attract continuous third-party funding: not only the SNSF and the Swiss Innovation Agency (Innosuisse) support projects and thus personnel at the DBE, but also private donors, including the Werner Siemens Foundation. As a result, the DBE has been growing continuously since its foundation in 2015, which led to the need of new premises which were opened at the beginning of 2023 in form of the new, tailor-made premises in the BaseLink area in Allschwil. The DBE now has top-class research infrastructure at its disposal. In collaboration with the Department of Biomedicine, the Phoenix Project will be conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of creating a new Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC) system. Leveraging expertise in tissue engineering, cartilage and bone biology, specifically osteoarthritis, will facilitate the development of the project. The University of Basel and its departments togheter actively contribute towards the ultimate goal of bridging basic science, innovation, and technology.
Contact person:
Dr. Valentina Basoli