A major advance in medicine is the so-called ‘liquid biopsy’. This form of testing can complement tissue analysis and provide additional information for medical assessment, as well as valuable insights for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In this process, specific biomolecules (nucleic acids such as DNA or RNA) are detected in blood or other bodily fluids in a non-invasive manner – that is, without invasive procedures. For example, in certain forms of breast cancer, mutations in the PIK3CA gene may be therapeutically relevant; these can also be investigated using circulating tumour DNA in the blood.
The analytical methods used for this purpose must be particularly sensitive, as the DNA alterations being sought are often present only in very small quantities. This is possible with modern laboratory methods, particularly PCR techniques. However, these analytical methods are resource-intensive and consume a considerable amount of material, which limits the frequency of testing and access in routine care.
European consortium with expertise in diagnostics, materials and cancer research
These challenges are being addressed by the EU project “SmartSens” (Advanced Materials for Sustainable Nucleic Acid Biosensing). Led by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, partners from Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Turkey and Poland are conducting research into a flexible, screen-printing-based biosensor system for the detection of nucleic acids in blood samples. The project consortium brings together expertise in molecular diagnostics, biosensor technology, materials science, printed electronics and clinical cancer research. The project starts on 1 June 2026, will run for three years and has a total budget of 1.3 million euros.
New materials for biosensors, microfluidics and DNA analysis
Specifically, SmartSens aims to develop a sensor system that advances the detection of PIK3CA mutations associated with breast cancer, whilst also opening up new approaches for resource-efficient diagnostic platforms. SmartSens operates at the interface between molecular precision, materials development, application-oriented biosensor technology and potentially scalable manufacturing processes. Building on an electrochemical assay, key components for DNA analysis are being further developed. These include biopolymer-based materials for microfluidic structures, cellulose-based materials for DNA purification, novel copper materials for printed electronics, and non-enzymatic and label-free methods for DNA detection.
“SmartSens combines precise molecular analysis with the question of how diagnostic technologies can be further developed in a way that is efficient, functional and sustainable in terms of materials”, says Eva Melnik, Senior Scientist at the AIT Center for Health and Bioresources and project coordinator. In doing so, SmartSens not only addresses a specific challenge in molecular diagnostics, but also links it to a broader development path for biosensor technology, medical technology and printed electronics.
Technological basis for further applications
Beyond this specific application in breast cancer research, the technological building blocks developed for nucleic acid biosensors may also prove relevant to other areas of molecular diagnostics.
One example of this is the “FlexDNA” project (Advanced materials for sustainable flexible electronics for On-Chip PCR), which officially launches in September and is supported by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). In this three-year project, partners from Austria and the Czech Republic are collaborating under the leadership of AIT. The total budget stands at €1.77 million.
More frequent and improved monitoring of leukaemia
The FlexDNA project focuses on the detection of RNA molecules in the blood for the diagnosis, risk classification and molecular monitoring of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). This enables treatment goals to be defined, therapy to be tailored and relapses to be detected at an early stage.
The project is developing a thermoconvection-controlled, flexible PCR chip that makes molecular leukaemia monitoring more efficient, resource-friendly and widely accessible. It combines electrochemical detection methods with eco-designed electronic components, novel materials and energy-efficient electronics. The aim is to create a miniaturised, low-waste and decentralised solution that enables more frequent testing, broader access to precision treatments outside specialised reference laboratories, earlier detection of molecular relapses and, consequently, earlier and more frequent PCR-based treatment decisions.
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