The Consortium consists of 6 partners and one third party from 5 different countries (Italy, Denmark, France, US, and Estonia) with excellent track record in instrumentation, technology, and assay development. Justification for US Partner: Boston University research group led by Prof. Ünlü invented the Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor and advanced this sensor technology for the detection, counting and characterization of individual biological nanoparticles in complex solutions.

Working together with an EU partner (Dr. Chiari, CNR), this BNP sensor has been successfully applied to exosome detection on which they own a joint international patent application. The technology is unique for detection of biological nanoparticles overcoming the challenges due to their exceptionally small size, low refractive index, and polydispersity. Inclusion of the US partner (BU) in this program is essential to further develop and validate this innovative technology to study exosomes.