Seminar and tutorial on switchSENSE® biosensor technologies at Universitätsklinikum Freiburg
On Tuesday, 18 November 2025, a seminar and hands-on tutorial on switchSENSE® biosensor technologies was held at Universitätsklinikum Freiburg. The event was organized by ECLectic Doctoral Candidate Tereza Jahodová (DC10) as part of her secondment at the institute.
Tereza’s research project (DC10) focuses on developing applications of surface-based biosensor technologies like switchSENSE and SPR for the detection and analysis of sepsis-associated pathogens. At the moment, she is working on an approach to study pathogen single-point mutations using kinetic parameters of DNA binding. Her host beneficiary within the ECLectic Doctoral Network is Bruker Biosensors, a Munich-based company specialised in advanced surface-based biosensing technologies and a beneficiary of the DN. Tereza is also enrolled as a PhD candidate at LMU Munich, where she carries out her doctoral studies.
As part of the ECLectic MSCA Doctoral Network, Tereza is currently undertaking a two-month secondment at Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, where she is learning how to extract DNA from patient samples and detect causative pathogens using PCR, in close collaboration with Abdulkadir Sadiq (DC9).
Abdulkadir’s research project (DC9) focuses on developing species-specific PCR and qPCR assays for the detection and quantification of sepsis-associated pathogens in bloodstream infections. He is currently using these molecular methods as a benchmark to evaluate the analytical performance of a lab-on-a-chip device based on electrochemiluminescence. His work aims to compare detection limits, reliability, and quantification accuracy to support the development of rapid point-of-care diagnostics for early sepsis detection.
Tereza and Abdulkadir are jointly working on preparing single-stranded PCR products of S. aureus and E. coli genes with a goal to analyze their sequence on the HeliX device, combining their complementary expertise to advance the diagnostic potential of the ECLectic technologies.
At the beginning of November 2025, Bruker Biosensors shipped a HeliX device to Universitätsklinikum Freiburg. This allowed Tereza and Abdulkadir to test and analyze their samples directly on-site, gaining practical insights into the performance of the system and validating the work developed so far within the project.
The invitation to the seminar and tutorial was circulated among the medical and research staff of the Freiburg University Hospital.
The aim of the session was to showcase switchSENSE® technologies, followed by a practical tutorial using the HeliX device. During the hands-on demonstration, participants explored how the system can be applied to study the binding properties of the therapeutic antibody Hemlibra.
This initiative was carried out within the framework of the ECLectic Doctoral Network’s collaboration and training program, reinforcing the project’s mission to provide interdisciplinary, intersectoral learning opportunities.
Thanks to Tereza’s secondment at Universitätsklinikum Freiburg and the close, day-to-day collaboration between Tereza and Abdulkadir, this joint work naturally evolved into a dissemination activity involving all relevant local stakeholders – including clinicians, researchers, and technology developers – fostering dialogue and strengthening the visibility of the project’s scientific advancements.
ECLectic Network Event 4: Three days of biosensing, clinical translation and interdisciplinary training at Dublin City University
From 20 to 22 October 2025, the ECLectic consortium gathered at Dublin City University (DCU) for its fourth Network Event, a three-day meeting that combined scientific updates, biosensor innovation and advanced training. Hosted at the Life Sciences Research Facility on the Glasnevin Campus, NE4 represented an important milestone in consolidating project progress and strengthening the interdisciplinary training framework of the MSCA-DN.
The event opened with the project meeting, during which the ten Doctoral Candidates (DCs) presented the advancement of their research activities. Under the guidance of WP leaders, DCs illustrated their latest scientific results and discussed how ongoing secondments, upcoming deliverables, and future tasks align within the overall project timeline. The lively poster session at the end of Day 1 further encouraged exchange among supervisors and DCs.
The programme also included an impactful set of expert lectures offering DCs an overview of current trends in biosensing, infection diagnostics, gene-editing technologies and antibody engineering. Through these talks, ECLectic junior researchers strengthened their scientific background while gaining exposure to clinical translation pathways, industrial perspectives and innovation strategies, all core aspects of ECLectic’s interdisciplinary training model. As the project moves forward, training increasingly focuses on transversal skills such as intellectual property management, patent strategies, and the steps required to transform a scientific idea into a functional biosensor or diagnostic device.
As with previous network events, NE4 offered important opportunities for informal exchange as well. These shared moments help reinforce the collaborative spirit of the network and the supportive environment central to MSCA training principles.
The final day included a guided tour of DCU’s Core Technologies and Life Sciences facilities, allowing participants to explore advanced infrastructures relevant to the project’s scientific activities.
The meeting concluded with a collective discussion on the next steps for the consortium, including coordination aspects related to training activities, dissemination and communication, and the upcoming phases of the project.
NE4 successfully combined scientific discussion, training, and community building. With this solid progress, the consortium now moves forward with the next research milestones and deliverables and upcoming secondments, continuing its path toward developing innovative ECL-based biosensing solutions for early sepsis diagnosis.
Watch what happened during the event on our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/eclectic_mscadn/
New paper in Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Electrochemiluminescence Modulation by a Versatile Organic Redox Mediator
Miaoxia Liu, Xianjing Huang, Bertrand Goudeau, Chenying Wang, Neso Sojic, Haidong Li
Published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Graphical abstract
The electrocatalysis of NNO for the co-reatant oxidation enhances the heterogeneous ECL of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ on labeled microbeads or cells. This unique electrocatalytic oxidation of co-reactant makes NNO a versatile non-emissive redox mediator for ECL studies.
