Over the years, Imego has built up expertise in chemistry, molecular biology, physics and optics/fluorescence and has developed a number of technology platforms that can be used for a variety of biological and chemical sensor systems.
Among these technology platforms, we have a fluorescence-based system for measuring prostate-specific antigens and optical / electrochemical read-out systems for using molecularly imprinted polymers as artificial antibodies. On the magnetic side, we have developed two different types of instruments. One uses magnetic nanoparticles as sensors: when particles interact with a target substance, the instrument registers the reactions through changes in the movement of the magnetic particles. The other magnetic system uses a magneto-elastic film as a sensitive balance and can detect the binding of bacteria or eukaryotic cells to the film.
As a research institute, we are participate regularly in collaborative projects with financial support from agencies such as Vinnova and EU FP7. In this kind of project, we combine the development of new products with the enhancement of competences and technologies in collaboration with private companies, other research institutes and universities.
We provide customers with measurement solutions tailored to their needs. Sometimes new technologies need to be developed, but often the technology already developed at Imego or elsewhere can be adapted to suit the customer’s needs with few modifications. Such adaptation of an already existing technology is much cheaper and faster than the development of new solution from scratch. Therefore, initially Imego scouts out the right technology and serves as a match-maker between the customer and that technology.
Imego can provide a variety of services relating to bio- and chemical sensors.
On our premises, we have laboratories for work ranging from biochemistry and molecular biology to microbiology and cell biology. Besides regular laboratory equipment, we are also well equipped for regular and fluorescence microscopy, spectroscopy (also fluorescence), Photon Correlation Spectroscopy, QCM-D, electrochemistry and more. In addition to work in the strictly bio- and chemical fields, we are also able to integrate concepts for detection into working demonstrator instruments complete with, for example, the mechanics, optics, electronics and data handling (signal processing).
Customer-specified projects – delivery of investigations
We are able to perform a wide range of customer-initiated investigations in the field of bio- and chemical sensors, such as:
- Evaluation of technologies:
- Theoretical: establish the state of the art, including literature studies, to determine the feasibility of different technologies.
- Practical: perform experiments to complement the theoretical evaluation and give proofs of concept.
- Establish protocols and optimizing procedures :
- Sample treatment
- Assay design
- Development or refinement of selected detection technology.
For this work, we have a base in the skills of our coworkers and the resources of our well-equipped laboratories. In addition, we have access to clean-room facilities at MC2/Chalmers.
A typical example of these kinds of services would be a customer who needs help in determining if a certain technology will be suitable for its purpose. Another customer could need to optimize a procedure to improve the functionality of an assay.
Customer-need-driven projects – delivery of solutions
We provide customers with measurement solutions that often are based on technology already in use, which we ourselves may or may not have developed, i.e. we adaptxisting platform technologies to the customer’s specific needs.Solutions to the customer’s measurement needs can also be based on the customer’s own technology, which we modify to meet the new requirements. Solutions can also require technology that is new both to the customer and to us. In this case, our role can be to scout for the right technology and serve as a matchmaker between the customer and the new technology with varying degrees of technical involvement.