Vision / Mission

Some infectious diseases, such as Lyme disease (which is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick), are spreading, which is also due to global warming.
Currently, diagnosis is mostly based on tests in medical laboratories, which are often costly, time-consuming and sometimes unreliable.
Furtwangen University and its cross-border partners are conducting joint research to enable faster and more reliable diagnosis.
A promising solution is emerging thanks to an innovative technology: the electrical detection of molecules via nanopores. This involves drilling a very small hole in a membrane through which an electric current flows. When a molecule passes through the nanopore, the electric current is altered depending on the size and shape of the molecule, creating a kind of “fingerprint” of the molecule.
This technology will enable the construction of handy diagnostic devices
Processes are being developed to produce nanopores quickly and in large numbers, enabling the cost-effective production of diagnostic devices. The electronics and software for analyzing the electrical “signatures” will then be developed and a prototype built and tested.
The research teams will be supported by medical and industrial partners who will test the prototype and turn it into a marketable product to improve patient care.