Rapid Phage Sensing was the winning project of the 8th edition of the Born from Knowledge program, BfK Ideas, in the “Health, Biotechnology and Food” category. Developed by Cláudia Maciel, researcher at CBQF - Center for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry, at the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia. It is a dual purpose lab-on-a-chip that integrates two independent modules that allow the detection and identification of bacteria antibiotic-resistant nosocomial infections.

Rapid Phage Sensing is a portable, cost-efficient device, with high specificity and sensitivity, constituting a fast, automated and robust analytical system, which responds to the antibiotic resistance epidemic.

For Cláudia Maciel, “the recognition of the RapidPhageSensing technology, developed in collaboration with researchers from LAQV-Requimte, is an incentive for the continuity and consolidation of the project, towards the implemention of this innovative solution”. The researcher also explains that the distinction allowed “to spark the interest of stakeholders who will be decisive for the transfer of technology to the market”.            

“It is with great pride that I see the work developed by Cláudia recognized through this prestigious prize. Cláudia is, without a doubt, a person 'born for knowledge' and the award-winning project is a successful example of something 'born from knowledge'.” – says Paula Teixeira, professor and researcher at CBQF-ESB and Cláudia Maciel’s PhD advisor.

Recognition of excellence and innovation of CBQF’s research

Paula Teixeira also recalls that the new technology “could not be more timely”, since “we are facing an epidemic of antibiotic resistance…”. “As leader of the CBQF “Food & Nutrition” group, I see this award recognizes the excellence and innovation of our research and is an incentive to remain committed to promoting a culture of excellence in research and generating scientific knowledge that contributes to the response to challenges of society”, he adds.

The prize includes participation in the next edition of the Science and Technology Acceleration Program, BfK – Rise, which will allow structuring a go-to-market strategic plan and obtaining financing for the implementation of this technology.

Cláudia Maciel also recalled that “the awarding of the “Born From Knowledge” distinction, by Elvira Fortuna, Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, “was of great symbolism, given the imminence of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week”.

Promoted by the National Innovation Agency (ANI), BfK Ideas aims to boost the transfer of knowledge from Higher Education Institutions to the business sector. Rapid Phage Sensing (CBQF-UCP, from Universidade Católica Portuguesa), Flattie (from the University of Aveiro) and Inclusive Programming (from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon) were the three projects distinguished by the program. In the 8th edition of the competition, 21 innovative semi-finalist projects were presented. The final took place on November 16th, at the Knowledge Pavilion, in Lisbon.