Danube Private University: Innovation award for sensor patch enabling real-time biomarker monitoring
The award-winning development enables continuous, minimally invasive monitoring of biomarkers in real time and opens new perspectives for diagnostics and therapy.
Danube Private University (DPU) achieved a major success: Research lead Youbin Zheng (LiST – Laboratory for Life Sciences and Technology) received first place at the renowned tecnet | accent Innovation Award. The award ceremony recently took place in the Millennium Hall of the Lower Austrian government building in St. Pölten in the presence of Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner.
The award is presented by tecnet equity, the accent incubator, and the University for Continuing Education Krems. Its aim is to support the early-stage transfer of research results into practical applications and commercialization.
The recognized project demonstrates strong practical potential: Zheng and his team developed wearable microneedle-based biosensors in the form of a skin-like patch applied directly to the body.
The system enables continuous and gentle monitoring of biomarkers – such as sodium – without repeated blood sampling. Microscopic needles collect measurements almost imperceptibly from the upper layer of the skin and continuously deliver precise data.
“This award underlines Danube Private University’s ambition to consistently translate research into practical applications,” emphasizes DPU Director Robert Wagner, MA. “Innovations such as this sensor patch demonstrate the enormous potential of interdisciplinary collaboration for the medicine of the future.”
Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner adds: “The recognition of Youbin Zheng with the Innovation Award demonstrates the extraordinary innovative strength of our young talents. His diagnostic patch, which measures health parameters completely painlessly and without blood sampling, is an example of how research from Lower Austria can create tangible improvements for people. Developments like this strengthen our scientific location and highlight how much future potential is being created here.”
The underlying technology is already protected by patents. It opens new possibilities for the early detection of health-related changes and for more precise monitoring of treatment progress – an important step toward data-driven and personalized medicine.
“The sensor patch developed by DPU could become a game changer in therapy monitoring. We are very excited to support this promising product on its path toward application,” says Michael Moll, Managing Director of accent Inkubator GmbH.
Doris Agneter, Managing Director of tecnet equity, emphasizes: “First place for Danube Private University with Youbin Zheng’s sensor patch is a strong example of the innovative power emerging from the Krems campus. With the Innovation Award, we provide an important impulse for spin-offs and for the targeted transfer of research into market-ready products, accompanying the journey from idea to implementation.”
Contact
Danube Private University
Mag. Carolin Rosmann
Public Relations & Science Communication
Telefon: +43 676 842 419 445
E-Mail: carolin.rosmann@dp-uni.ac.at