T.E.S.T. is the student team that competes in the SensUs competition every year. The goal of the competition is to make a biosensor, which is a sensor that can detect a molecule. More specifically, a biomarker is targeted, which is a molecule that is an indication of any kind of disease. For example, the biomarker for this year is creatinine, an indication of kidney failure. Each year at SensUs, a different biomarker is used and each year, a different T.E.S.T. team competes in the competition. More information about the SensUs competition can be found here.
Timeline
T.E.S.T. starts in November and ends at the last week of the summer break, which is is the last week of August. In the first few months, literature research is done to get an overview of the current state and methods of biosensing. This gives everyone in the team the opportunity to become familiar with the subject. Usually around January, a choice is made about what method is used for the new biosensor.
From February until April we work on the realization of the concept. During this period, the team investigates how the method can be realized into a biosensor. This is also when the hands-on experiences starts: you either go into the lab or you will be working on a prototype, depending on whether you are in the ‘assay’ or ‘detection’ team.
From May until the end summer break, optimization of the biosensor takes place and the results of both the detection & assay team come together to realize a working biosensor! At the end of the summer break, the SensUs competition takes place. Here, we show our biosensor to other student teams, sponsors and the general public.
Time Spent on T.E.S.T.
From November until april, the efforts for T.E.S.T. will approximately be 10 hours a week on average. From April untill the beginning of the summer break, the time spent on T.E.S.T. generally increases to 16 hours per week. In the summer break, you will work full time on T.E.S.T., with exception of two weeks of holiday. It is worth noting that the summer break is the most fun period during the year, as there is plenty of time to do fun activities with your team!
Research teams
As a T.E.S.T. member there are two different research subteams you can join:
Detection team
The detection team works on the electronics part of the sensor. Within the detection team you will look into the functional details of a biosensor. Research, debate and experiment with multiple physical and electronic concepts and chose which best fits the specifications. Furthermore, build, connect and test components so the biosensor gives a reliable and reproducible output.
Assay team
The assay team works on the chemical part of the sensor. Within the assay team you will design your own experiments by doing research, discussing your ideas with experts and writing the protocols. You carry out the experiments in the lab, review the results, improve your protocols and gain incredible lab skills along the way.
Management functions
To keep the team running, there are various functions within the team, besides the research roles. When the new team is formed, the new members will discuss and divide the functions and subteams among themselves. This means you will not have to apply for a specific function.
 | Chairperson – Responsible for leading discussions and being the main point of contact. |  | External affairs – Responsible for the partnerships with businesses and maintains relationships with externals. |
 | Secretary – Taking minutes, managing the mailbox. |  | Public relations – The bridge between T.E.S.T. and the public, PR showcases what we do and is responsible for recruitment. |
 | Treasurer – Responsible for the finances of the team. |  | Translational potential (TP) – TP investigates how our biosensor can be placed in the market and how T.E.S.T. would act as a business. |