“muF4NaS” Platform: micro-Fluidic Platform for Neuroactive Steroids separation and detection
Technology description
| The name of the technology: | “muF4NaS” Platform: micro-Fluidic Platform for Neuroactive Steroids separation and detection |
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| Challenge: |
There are no commercially available lab-on-a-chip solutions for neuroactive steroids separation/detection. However, superior start-up is promised by the longlasting collaboration with experts on neuroactive steroids detection and separation in human blood samples, as well as “know-how” in microdialysis and neuroscience/biomedicine methods, and deep understanding of neuroactive steroids role in neuromodulation and association with various neurological diseases. |
| Description: |
A lab-on-a-chip is a miniaturized device that combines one or several analyses, such as DNA sequencing, immunoassays, steroids levels, or many others biochemical detections. The history of lab-on-a-chip is de facto linked to the microfluidics that exploit chemical-physical properties of liquids at a microscale. Microfluidics allow the analysis and use of less volume of samples, chemicals and reagents reducing the global fees of applications. Neuroactive steroids directly modulate the neurotransmitter receptors of the central nervous system (CNS) by nongenomic pathway and thus influence the excitability of nervous tissue. They are playing important role in the brain physiology, but also correlated with a symptomatology and severity of diseases (epilepsy, schizophrenia, etc.). There is a thin line in a balance of differently polar neuroactive steroids, and a violation of this balance can serve as an important pointer into disease progression. A lab-on-a-chip solution that allows to separate and detect neuroactive steroids based on their chemical-physical properties can be applied to quickly indicate balance disruption. |
| Commercial opportunity: |
Lab-on-a-chip solution for the steroids separation and detection can be later commercially used for: • validation a neuroprotective effect of neurosteroids in the fetus. • diagnostics of steroid endocrinopathies (Cushing's Disease / Cushing Disease, adrenal tumors, gonadal dysfunction, subclinical hypercortisolism, diagnostics of adrenal dysfunctions, comparison of chronological and physiological age (impact on immunity and mental abilities from the point of view of adrenal cortex function, classification of some psychiatric diseases - affective disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, reproductive disorders - (catamenial) epilepsy, epilepsy in men, complications in pregnancy - intrahepatic cholestasis, premature birth (namely, the estimation of the date of birth), diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, cancers, endometriosis, ADHD. • Last but not least, to perform timely and inexpensive quantification of disposable steroids. |
| IP protection status: | The IP protection plan is being prepared |
| Development status: |
Phase 2Corresponds with TRL 3 and TRL 4 Feasibility study. There is a realistic design of the technology and the initial tests in the laboratory are leading to the specification of the technology requirements and its capabilities.
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| Partnering strategy: | Collaboration investment licensing |
| More information: | |
| Images: | No picture inserted |
| Categories: | Research Tools Pharma Diagnostics Life Science and Health |
| Owner of a technology: | Center for Technology Transfer - National Institute of Mental Health CZ (NIMH) |
