The execution of ecotoxicological tests with organisms in liquid medium, eg. Daphnia sp., requires its counting and characterization to evaluate several parameters. Currently the score is performed by technicians by direct observation (“naked eye”) of exposed organisms. This process is slow, tiring and subject to human error, and it can have adverse effects on visual acuity of the technical staff involved in the count. This patent, developed in a Portuguese university, solves the problem by counting and automating this process with gains in runtime and accuracy and enabling quick and efficient recount. It follows the optimization of the process of assessing the exposure to contaminants in tests that require the use of small-sized organizations.
The university is looking for companies interested in the production and commercialization of this industrial equipment.
New and innovative aspects
The present invention replaces the prevailing manual, and naked eye, counting by a digital automatic system allowing high reliability and performing, at the same time , the chromatic characterization of the particles under study, allowing the comparison with the standard models or reference .
This tool, device and appropriate processing algorithm, may become imperative as it shortens the procedure and highly increases the accuracy and precision in such scientific studies.
Applications
Application in biological assays, in quantification and chromatic characterization of small organisms or small particles in liquids.
Intellectual property status
Pending patent.
Current development status
The device is a prototype that has been tested on the field.
Desired business relationship
The university aims to license the technology to companies with the equipment’s development and production for use in research and analysis laboratories. The university is also available to participate in this development.
The University of Aveiro is a young and innovative university, which fosters entrepreneurship and technology and knowledge transfer, with expertise in a wide range of knowledge areas namely IT, Life Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Health, Environmental Sciences), Nanotechnology and Materials Science, Mechanics, Physics, Mathematics, Building, Design and Management. uacoopera is the Technology Transfer Office of University of Aveiro. This office engages in value adding activities such as start-up and spin-off creation, support to university-industry cooperation (sponsored research and consultancy services), IP protection and prosecution, licensing, marketing, among others. It covers four main interrelated functional areas – Intellectual Property Management, Licensing, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Liaison.
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