LEIBNIZ-INSTITUT FUR ANALYTISCHE WISSENSCHAFTEN-ISAS-EV

Their core work

ISAS is a Leibniz Association research institute in Dortmund specializing in analytical sciences — developing and applying advanced methods like mass spectrometry, chromatography, proteomics, and lipidomics to solve problems in biomedical research. Their core strength lies in measuring and characterizing biological molecules, particularly in the context of cardiovascular disease, blood coagulation, and aging-related biochemistry. They bridge analytical chemistry with life sciences, providing the measurement capabilities that clinicians and biologists need to understand disease mechanisms at the molecular level.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ISAS began its H2020 participation (2018) focused on instrumentation and physical analytical methods — plasma jets, mass spectroscopy, chromatography, and numerical simulation (TImPANI, BIOplasma). By 2019-2020, the focus shifted decisively toward biomedical applications: redox signaling, thrombosis, coagulation, proteomics, and aging biology (TICARDIO, SULFAGING). This evolution shows a classic trajectory from method development to disease-relevant application, with the analytical tools now being deployed to answer specific biomedical questions.

ISAS is moving firmly into biomedical analytics, with their largest and longest-running project (SULFAGING, through 2027) anchoring them in redox biology and aging research for years to come.

How they like to work

ISAS operates primarily as a specialist partner (4 of 5 projects as participant), contributing analytical expertise to consortia led by others. They coordinated one smaller project (BIOplasma, EUR 163K), suggesting they prefer focused, method-driven coordination rather than large consortium management. With 23 unique partners across 9 countries, they maintain a diverse but not sprawling network — typical of a specialist institute that different teams invite for their measurement capabilities.

ISAS has collaborated with 23 unique partners across 9 countries, indicating a well-connected but focused European network. As a German Leibniz institute, they are a trusted analytical partner that consortia across multiple countries seek out for their measurement expertise.

What sets them apart

ISAS occupies a distinctive niche at the intersection of analytical chemistry instrumentation and biomedical research — they don't just study disease, they develop the measurement tools to study it. Their combination of plasma-based analytical methods, mass spectrometry, proteomics, and lipidomics under one roof makes them a rare partner who can handle molecular characterization across multiple biological domains. For consortium builders, ISAS brings the analytical backbone that turns biological hypotheses into measurable, quantifiable results.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SULFAGING
  Largest grant (EUR 1.57M) and longest project (2020-2027), an ERC Consolidator Grant on protein persulfidation and aging — signals deep institutional commitment to redox biology.
• BIOplasma
  The only project ISAS coordinated — developing flexible tube micro plasma for lipidomics, showcasing their ability to create novel analytical instruments.
• TICARDIO
  Combines proteomics with extracellular vesicle analysis for cardiovascular disease, demonstrating ISAS's ability to apply multiple analytical techniques to clinical questions.