Organic Bioelectronics is a fast-rising field encompassing organic electronic devices that exhibit mixed electronic and ionic conductivity. It represents a truly unique communication bridge across the technology gap existing between the living systems and digital electronics. Biosensing is one of the most scientifically and industrially promising application of organic (bio)electronics. It is important to form young professionals that will be able to operate into this highly-interdisciplinary field, where proficiency in chemistry, materials science and technology, solid state physics, biochemistry, engineering is needed. Such curricula can be hardly constructed within institutional degrees, at least not at the level that can be provided by a European Training Network. The objective of BORGES is to train the next generation of R&D innovators in organic bioelectronics, with the aim of developing organic biosensors up to demonstration in an end-user significant context. BORGES trainees will be educated with a holistic perspective of the technology, from fundamentals and fabrication, through characterization, to clinical/research user scenarios. BORGES training will be based on i) acquiring solid background in different scientific and technological fields; ii) exposing trainees to diverse sectors, from academia to technological research centres to industrial nodes; iii) fostering the development of transversal competencies. The BORGES Network is composed by 12 beneficiary institutions and one associate partner. With 4 non-academic nodes, and research centres with a clear industrial drive, BORGES ensures exposure of its fellows to a truly multisectorial environment. The state of the art training received by its fellows in a rapidly growing field with a strong socio-economic impact will fully qualify them to access novel and highly qualified job positions, and to substantially increase their employability and career perspectives.

The cold-chain is the temperature controlled supply chain used to transport temperature-sensitive goods such as dairy products, chocolate, fresh vegetable, vaccines, etc. Any breach in the cold-chain that exposes the goods outside these temperatures is referred to as a thermal excursion. In the EU alone, over 60% of the food losses occur due to failures in the logistical chain, making it a priority to improve the methods of tackling the inefficiencies in the cold-chain. To identify the points in the process at thermal excursions take place we can use Time Temperature Integrators (TTIs), which are attached to the product packaging and help track the temperature history throughout the cold-chain. Our solution at Scriba Nanotecnologies Srl is the T-TAG, a quality control TTI adhesive label that uses thermosensitive materials that undergo an irreversible change in their optical contrast when exposed to particular temperature ranges. We already have T-TAG prototypes tested and ready for industrial validation that can monitor thermal excursions above 8°C for periods of 48h. The optical contrast signal can also be monitored using a simple reader or most smartphone cameras, allowing to standardise the readout and automate the process to easily interpret and log thermal excursions. The innovation of the label design enables its small size (16mm x 20mm and 1mm thickness), which also means one can track individual packaging. We plan to set-up the mass production of the T-TAG to reduce the cost of manufacturing to €0.006 per tag, making accurate quality control possible at a fraction of the price of competing solutions – €0.15 per tag compared to €0.80-8.00 for thermochromic labels and data loggers. Our initial sale predictions based on a product launch by 2019, aim for an accumulated turnover of €18.8 million by 2023, implying a ROI of 2.84 and 31 new jobs created.

ICHTHYS (OptImization of novel value CHains for fish and seafood by developing an integraTed sustainable approacH for improved qualitY, safety and waSte reduction) will optimize novel value-chains for fish and seafood products for the EU and international markets. It will develop an integrated sustainable approach to improve quality and safety, while reducing product loss in the whole supply chain. ICHTHYS is intersectorial and focuses on two essential parts of the value chain, postharvest processing and packaging, integrating novel modern techniques and molecular biology tools in the evaluation of the quality and safety of fish and shellfish, including their allergenic capacity. The proposal has 13 consortium members from 6 countries that have complementary expertise in food, aquaculture and postharvest processing. New nonthermal processing methods such as high pressure, pulsed electric fields and high-intensity pulsed light will be studied together with active and intelligent packaging and smart labels (Time Temperature Integrators) and biosensors for monitoring safety and shelf life enriched with novel data from "omics" analysis. The implementation of ICHTHYS will offer the industrial partners the opportunity to translate scientific research into well-defined knowledge-based end products and analytical tools. In addition, to the scientific objectives ICHTHYS will provide a platform for efficient dissemination and transfer of knowledge and technology through training and research with complementary measures to engage other stakeholders including citizens. Overall, ICHTHYS aspires to provide cross-cutting intersectorial and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and training for academics and commercial partners to improve their employability and career prospects. The project will contribute to the knowledge-based economy and society and boost regional and European competitiveness and growth, food exports and job creation.

Cancer biomarkers circulating in body fluids have been shown to reflect the pathological process and for this reason can be used for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and choice for therapeutic interventions. It is proven that their detection is a key to new minimal-invasive detection approaches. However, barriers to wide spread use of similar approaches are lack of test sensitivity, specificity and limited availability of low cost detection platforms. This project is focused at developing a compact plasmonic-based device with integrated microfluidic circuit and functionalized nanostructures for the detection of DNA, microRNA and tumor autoantibodies cancer biomarkers. The aim is to detect cancer biomarkers circulating in blood with improvement in sensitivity of factor up to 1000, reduction in cost of platform of factor ranging from 2 to 4 compared to today’s available techniques and analysis time less than 60 minutes. The proposed detection approache will provide ultrasensitive detection of biomolecular systems with no need for complex sample chemical modifications thus allowing direct and simple assays to be performed. Within the project a bimodal industrial prototype will be developed integrating novel surface plasmon resonance imaging and plasmon-enhanced fluorescence sensing technologies, respectively. Automated fabrication processes suitable for low cost mass production will be developed and applied to produce disposable integrated chips. Prototype will be specifically fabricated for early diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer. The team includes partners holding cross-disciplinary competencies needed to achieve the proposed results, including two of the first five plasmon resonance groups in the world, the inventor of surface plasmon microscopy – also known as surface plasmon resonance imaging- and plasmon-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy, and full European value chain including disposable chip and readout platforms design, development and manufacturing.