Responsible Regional Contact Point
Organisation:	AWSG - AUSTRIA
Contact person:	Behnoosh Amirimani
Contact details:	b.amirimani@awsg.at +43 1 501 75 - 552
Organisation Details
Founded (Year):	2003
No of employees:	1-10
Turnover (US $):	< 100k
Organisation Type:	University
Company (Organisation) details
An Austrian university
Areas of activity:
-  Biology/Biotechnology -  Generic Tools
1) Technology Offer
Microarray for assaying electrophysiological changes in (pharmacological) high-throughput screens
ABSTRACT: The technology comprises innovative arrangements for coupling a living cell, in particular a neurone, to an electronic circuit facilitating both the recording of electric cellular signals as well as the stimulation of cells DESCRIPTION: Previous technologies for analyzing electric signals on a cellular level have suffered from several drawbacks. Non-invasive approaches such as the use of voltage-dependent dyes or extra cellular metal electrodes allow the “passive” observation only. Methods facilitating both the detection as well as the “active” stimulation of cells are essentially invasive, bearing disadvantages such as the triggering of artefacts. In trying to overcome these difficulties, technologies such as cuff-electrodes or solutions based on MOS-transistors have been developed. However, none of these approaches constitutes both a reliable as well as a robust and durable set-up suitable for a broad spectrum of applications including e.g. high-throughput screening, neuron-electronic circuits, design of sensomotoric actuators/receptors. The featured technology involves arrays to couple living cells with an electronic circuit, where one terminal is connected to a reference potential and the other terminal is connected to a switched output of an electronic switch. The technology allows the individual and simultaneous sensing/stimulation of cells/tissue in defined set ups such as microtiter plates or tailored microgrids by high-density arrangements of the electric circuits. The interface between the system and the respective biological material differs from current state of the art allowing a significantly increased life-span of the components as well as of the assayed cells/tissue. The two circuits are based on established semiconductor-technology facilitating inexpensive mass-production. Prototypes have been successfully tested in screening assays. MAIN ADVANTADGES / BENEFITS: Applications - High throughput screening has become a method of choice in drug development. The featured electronic based set-up which is prone to automation, continuous monitoring and fast sensing will be crucial for a highly efficient screening in a physiological context. The descibed arrangements are suitable for single-use products for a mass-market. - Studies on signal processing in networks of live neurons - Electronic based sensors and actuators for prostheses and neuro-electronic networks INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR): Granted US-Patent + Patent applications pending e.g. in Europe MARKET APPLICATIONS: Pharmaceutical industry / Biotech TYPE OF COLLABORATION SOUGHT: Licensing agreement / Developmental collaboration PARTNER PROFILE:
Market application:
-  HUMAN/ANIMAL HEALTH -  Other Generic Tools
Entry/Update:	2006-10-25  /  2007-01-25