BUG-ID

The World Health Organization has emphasized the importance of early and accurate diagnosis of bacterial infections. An ideal diagnostic tool would possess high speed, high throughput, accuracy, low cost and simplicity of use for the clinical laboratory or bed-side applications. Diagnostic tools that possess all these properties currently do not exist. To address this knowledge gap, in the BUG-ID consortium, seven European universities, one research institute, one hospital and six private companies have teamed up. Our consortium will train 15 doctoral candidates with skills in interdisciplinary research, spanning from nanotechnology and materials science to molecular microbiology, biochemistry, infection medicine to AI-based data analysis. Private sector participants will bring their full capacity to bear on intersectoral training, allowing doctoral students to forge links between science and innovation. At the core of the BUG-ID concept is the 2D nanomaterial graphene. Versatile surface chemistry, sensing capacity and possibility of integration with electronic and optical devices will be the key properties of graphene exploited by our consortium. Scientific challenges we will tackle will include the identification of suitable biomarkers for infection in complex environments (background of bacterial commensals), structural engineering of appropriate receptors for identified biomarkers, functionalization of graphene sensors with the receptors and their integration into functional sensors, miniaturization of sensor technology and optimization of complex signal readouts using machine learning techniques and explainable AI. To pave the way for building such game-changing technology, BUG-ID doctoral students will have to work together as a team, drawing competence from distant scientific disciplines, and moving across sectoral boundaries. In doing so, they will receive training that empowers them to become future leaders in science and innovation.