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Description
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The VIRTUALAB research project aims to study, implement and validate advanced diagnostic techniques applied in medicine drawing on a knowledge base, or set of enabling technologies, such as mechatronics, image processing, biomedical and pathophysiological signals, virtual reality, robotics, microelectronics, sensors and software.
The investigated techniques will have direct application in two main areas of medical diagnosis:
1) Image Diagnostic (3D and 4D), for assistance of minimally invasive percutaneous interventions (thorax, abdomen, brain, bones, spine), with the realization of:
a) a navigation system based on 3D and 4D image fusion and virtual reality, suitable also for neuro-navigation assisted by a robotic positioning system;
b) arrays of microelectrodes for data collection in neurophisiology and / or neurophysiopathology, for the diagnosis and the "guide" in real time in selected areas, combined with a therapeutic or diagnostic solutions micro-dispenser, assisted by neuro-navigator 4D (see point a))
2) High-throughput (HTS) molecular diagnostics based on nucleic acids, drug discovery based proteomics, and automated extraction of DNA, with the realization of:
a) high throughput workstation with high autonomy for drug discovery and DNA diagnostics;
b) integrated HTS and high autonomy workstation for DNA extraction and real time amplification for diagnostic purposes, which can be specialized in real-time mode for intra-operative diagnosis of sentinel lymph- nodes.
In particular, the objective of the VIRTUALAB project is aimed both on identifying and implementing hi-tech equipment that is addressed at significantly improving the minimally invasive interventional practice, and to speed up molecular diagnostic techniques especially oriented to the oncological diseases. In these areas, enabling technologies and results of this project will involve different disciplines which are closely related and synergistically co-operatating to achieve the final goals. The interdisciplinary nature of the project involves the participation of highly skilled partners in various scientific fields related to project objectives such as medicine, biotechnology, pharmacology, robotics, physics.
The project is structured according to a star type aggregative pattern, where a core consisting of four SMEs interacting with a satellite facilities of University and Research Centres responsible of drive, with specific application knowledge, the field of robotics and computer science in order to create highly innovative new systems to the service of medicine and biotechnology (see fig.1).
The final results, therefore, affect all components of the project and in particular: a) the nucleus of SMEs, both in terms of a realization of autonomous workstations / high throughput biomedical equipment, diagnosis systems, advanced intraoperative navigation, and on diagnostic kits suitable for treatment with high throughput methods and high autonomy; b) satellites Research Centres on the side of molecular diagnostic techniques and minimally invasive medical interventions.
An important aspect of the VIRTUALAB project is the involvement of companies and excellence institutions belonging to a territory characterized by and industry strongly oriented to Automotive and Mechatronic . The current crisis in the automotive industry pushes towards the full utilization of acquired Mechatronic skills that are particularly sought in automated technology (robotic and mechatronic) used in biology and medicine. Therefore, it is of particular strategic importance both to value these skills into a strategic repositioning of industries involved in the project, and to project on a so promising of biotechnology and medical diagnostics scenario, both in Italy and abroad, innovations and products of so major Social interest and addressed to a highly receptive market.
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Distribution
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Advancement of distribution in %
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Total amount distributed
2,926,032.02 euro
NOP R&C distributed amount
2,294,276.41 euro
PAC distributed amount
0.00 euro
Amount distributed with other funds
631,755.61 euro
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