T.E.S.T. 2024

The SensUs competition of 2024 involved the detection of the biomolecule creatinine, which is a biomarker for kidney failure. Kidney failure affects 1 in 10 individuals, and it prevalence is increasing through the years. When kidney disease progresses, it will result in kidney failure: a condition where the kidneys are not functioning anymore. At this stage, intrusive treatments need to be implemented, which can be kidney transplantation or dialysis. By adjusting the lifestyle of the individual, kidney failure, can be postponed. By doing this, the quality of life of the individual can be increased significantly. Therefore, it becomes more important to detect kidney disease in an early stage, which we will achieve with our biosensor.

T.E.S.T. 2023

On the first of September 2023, our team competed to detect Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), which is a marker for detecting Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI is a disease that has approximately 64-74 million new cases each year. TBI patients suffer from memory loss, cognitive dysfunction or behavioural disturbance. It is important that the severity of TBI can be diagnosed rapidly, so that patients can receive the appropriate treatment. Proper treatment can improve patients’ life and, therefore, we are eager to contribute to the development of a biosensor for TBI.

T.E.S.T. 2022

The challenge of SensUs 2022 was to detect the cytokine Interleukin-6, which is a marker and mediator of sepsis. Sepsis is a form of acute inflammation, resulting in organ dysfunction, which causes the death of 11 million people worldwide and affects many more. Therefore, rapid detection of sepsis is important to be able to treat patients in time, and to save the lives of these patients. Because of the global relevance of this condition, we are excited to be part of the innovation in biosensors for this application.

Winners of SensUs 2022 (Distributed Testing Event & Runner-up Translational Potential)

T.E.S.T. 2021

The challenge of SensUs 2021 was to develop a biosensor to detect the acute respiratory virus influenza A. Influenza viruses are known to mutate quickly, contributing to pandemic-type situations in society sooner rather than later. As the Covid-19 pandemic has shown, rapid testing of patients is crucial to contain the spread of viruses.

Winners of SensUs 2021 (Translational Potential Award)

T.E.S.T. 2020

The challenge of SensUs 2020 was to develop a biosensor for the measurement of unbound Valproate. This is a biological drug that is prescribed to patients suffering from epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain that affects people of all ages. Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally.

T.E.S.T. 2019

T.E.S.T. 2018

For this years competition, we will create a biosensor to detect an antibiotic called vancomycin. The detection and measurement of vancomycin needs to be efficient and not harmful for patients.

T.E.S.T. 2017

Heart failure is a very important public health problem in both developed and developing countries with a prevalence of about 1% of the population.
This year, SensUs features NT-proBNP as its target molecule, which is a key biomarker for heart failure. But what is NT-proBNP and why is it important? And how does NT-proBNP relate to heart failure?
This video explains how the heart functions, what happens when it fails to function, and why NT-proBNP is a very useful molecule to measure with a small and rapid biosensor.

T.E.S.T. 2016

1.7 Million people in the Netherlands suffer from chronic kidney damage and early detection is necessary to prevent for worse. Creatinine is one indicator for kidney diseases and so T.E.S.T. developed a biosensor prototype to determine creatinine concentrations in blood plasma. In this movie the potential of this prototype is shown, keeping in mind that there are still some obstacles that need to be overcome.