DESCRIPTION
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a biomarker that is tightly related with cardiovascular risk and several other pathologies. However, its detection in the day-to-day clinical practice is limited to the use of complex analytical techniques, such as mass spectrometry, which requires long analysis times, high economic cost and highly specialized personnel. These barriers hinder the incorporation of TMAO as a common biomarket in routine diagnosis and prevention, which leads to the need of a faster, more economic and easier-to-use tool in clinical environments.
This innovative sensor incorporates a cascade genetic amplification circuit, that significantly improves the sensitivity and drastically reduces the detection time if compared to today's detection methods and previously described biosensors. In addition, the design of the genetic circuit allows the biosensor to be adapted to detect other biomarkers by simply substituting the sensor module, enhancing its applicability and versatility.
ADVANTAGES
1. Several orders of magnitude more sensitive than previously existing sensors.
2. Shorter time of detection, which favours its use in day-to-day clinical practice.
3. More economic than other techniques, such as mass spectrometry.
4. Does not require specialized training to perform the detection test.
5. Widely versatile, as the genetic circuit can be easily modified to detect other biomarkers.
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
In search of potential licensees and/or buyers.
TEAM
Iñigo Lasa, Yaiza Pérez, Nahiara Garmendia, Begoña García, Matías Ávila, Carmen Berasain
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
European Patent Application: EP26382942.6
CONTACT INFORMATION
Innovation Unit: unidad.innovacion.salud@navarra.es (+34 848 42 70 30)