MULTIANALYTE DIGITAL SENSING WITH QR-CODE MICRONEEDLES FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ALZHEIMERbroad
ALERT · Horizon Europe grant · 2026-03-01–2029-02-28
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDEROPEN · scheme HORIZON-EIC · topic HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDEROPEN. CORDIS record →
Objective
ALERT introduces a groundbreaking leap in medical diagnostics, redefining in-vivo sensing with a pioneering digital approach. This revolutionary technology centers on multianalyte digital sensing via QR-coded microneedles—engineered for minimally invasive, highly accurate, and real-time measurement of critical disease biomarkers directly from plasma beneath the skin.Seamlessly integrating digital innovation with advanced biomedical sensing, ALERT’s microneedles encode biomarker data into a scannable digital QR code, enabling instant and precise diagnostics. These microneedles operate through a unique binary fluorescence mechanism, switching distinctly ""on"" or ""off"" when biomarker concentrations cross predefined clinical thresholds. This digital paradigm eradicates the need for external calibration—a key limitation of traditional analog chemical sensors—ensuring enhanced accuracy, reliability, and ease of use in real-world applications.With a main focus on early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), ALERT tackles a pressing global health challenge, particularly urgent given the rapidly aging population. AD often remains clinically undetected for 15 to 20 years, making early diagnosis crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing the immense social and economic burdens of late-stage management. ALERT's approach includes rigorous validation in animal models, well-defined Key Performance Indicators, advanced material synthesis, cutting-edge device fabrication, and proactive risk mitigation strategies.Beyond revolutionizing AD diagnostics, ALERT’s digital QR-code microneedle platform holds vast potential for broader medical applications, including early detection of cancer, sepsis, and infectious diseases. Its adaptability extends even further, with applications in environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, and food safety.""
Beneficiaries (5)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITA DI PISA | IT | coordinator | €873,080 | |
| UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MODENA E REGGIO EMILIA | IT | participant | €531,608 | |
| AB MEDICA SPA | IT | participant | €523,000 | |
| DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY | IE | participant | €499,634 | |
| CHARITE - UNIVERSITAETSMEDIZIN BERLIN | DE | participant | €490,065 |
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