Summary:
A Spanish biomedical research networking center has developed a new layered substrate that allows the in situ detection or quantification of one or more analytes in real time, looking to establish license, research cooperation, or joint venture agreements.
Description:
The networking center gathers some of the main Spanish research groups in biomedicine, located in more than 100 institutions as universities, hospitals and technological centers distributed around the country.
The present invention provides a new layered substrate useful in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) that allows the in situ detection or quantification of one or more analytes in real time.
Raman spectroscopy is a powerful vibrational analysis technique that allows to give chemical and structural information on chemicals or biomolecules. Due to this property Raman is widely used in applications of biosensing, food control and detection of hazardous materials. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) uses the plasmonic property of noble metal particles, the SERS substrate, to enhance the Raman signal of molecules in the vicinity of such particles and attain detection limits that can go down to single molecule detection. Indeed, gold nanoparticles confine light to nanoscale volumes allowing for dramatic enhancement of the Raman scattering signal.
The new layered substrate comprising (a) an electromagnetically active layer, (b) a support layer adjacent to the electromagnetically active layer, and (c) a thermolabile sheathing layer adjacent to the electromagnetically active layer wherein: at least one of the layers adjacent to the electromagnetically active layer is transparent to an incident electromagnetic radiation of wavelength W; the sheathing layer: is not-permeable to a fluid FL; and it is capable of being degraded at a temperature T; and the electromagnetically active layer is integrally attached to the support layer, is capable of converting electromagnetic energy carried by the incident electromagnetic radiation of wavelength W into thermal energy; and is thermostable at temperature T.
The invention also provides processes for the preparation of the material, uses as spectroscopy substrate, methods for identifying/quantifying one or more analytes and kits and devices comprising the substrate.
The research center is looking to establish license, research cooperation, or joint venture agreements with industry and research organizations from the medical equipment sector.
Type (e.g. company, R&D institution…), field of industry and Role of Partner Sought:
Patent ready for licensing-out.
The research center is looking for companies or other entities which develop SERS biosensors (surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection), RAMAN equipment, or equipment for the quantification of a specific analyte.
The technology can be also applied in continuous detection systems in biomedicine. For example, continuous measurement of an analyte in exhaled air, or in a dialysis system.
Besides, this technology has an application in fluid control in the industry. For example, in the food industry, in the chemical industry, control of environments (gases). Environmental quality (air or water).
Any of the next types of collaborations are sought:
• Industry for further development of the device (clinical proof-of-concept), in order to collaborate in innovation projects via joint venture agreement.
• Industry willing to licensing-in the technology (product) via license agreement.
• Research organization for further development of the device, in order to collaborate in innovation projects (clinical proof-of-concept) via research cooperation agreement.
Stage of Development:
Under development/lab tested
Comments Regarding Stage of Development:
Successful proof of concept, lab prototype under development.
IPR Status:
Patent(s) applied for but not yet granted
Comments Regarding IPR Status:
European patent application (Priority date: December 21, 2020)
Suitable for International extension (PCT application)
External code:
TOES20210311001
