Novel Sensor Plugs “Made in Regensburg”
Based on research activities which started in the 1980s, PreSens Precision Sensing GmbH was started as spin-off from the University of Regensburg in 1997 and was one of the first leaseholders at BioPark Regensburg. Today the company unites with almost 100 employees the long years of experience of numerous researchers in the fields of electrical engineering and sensor development. Already at the beginning of its work the company was selling microsensors to researchers in the life science field. PreSens is one of the most innovative companies at the location and still in the hands of the startup shareholders. The new product line SensorPlugs is in fact used for measurements made in microfluidic and millifluidic chips. “The worldwide market volume for microfluidics was at last count 3.6 billion $US”, explained CEO Achim Stangelmayer. “Experts anticipate by 2026 growth of over 18 %”. Microfluidics allows cultivation for example of human cells and tissue and to test these so that this corresponds to the conditions in the human body. With Organ-on-a-chip-technology the physiology and mechanics of organs, organ systems or tissues are simulated with micro measurements on chips of the size of a card from a pack of cards. These organ systems can be placed in various compartments on the chip. “New measurement technology can be used for the most precise cell analysis and in the near future contribute to helping to reduce the number of ethically questionable animal experiments”, explained Dr. Gernot John, Director of Marketing and Innovation at the company.
With the new “SensorPlugs” from PreSens oxygen, carbon dioxide and pH-value can be directly surveyed in the microchannels. This facilitates for example precise control of biological reactions and delivers critical information on speed of reaction in the tissue for example in fighting cancer. With this real lab-on-a-chip-application the company is touching on the “nerve of the times” in the field of biotechnology and life sciences. This is evident in the overwhelming response in the SensorPlug Contest competition started this month. Research laboratories from throughout the world participate in this with their applications for development of new measurement chips. It is also this close network connection of the company to the research groups at the Universities in Regensburg and the infrastructure of the BioPark on the Uni-Campus, that has been decisive in contributing to the success of the company.
