IMAGEOMICS · Project

Universal Protein Detection Tool That Replaces Thousands of Custom Antibodies

healthPrototypeTRL 4Thin data (2/5)

Right now, if you want to identify a specific protein in a medical sample, you need a custom-made antibody for each one — like needing a unique key for every lock in a building. IMAGEOMICS figured out that you only need 20-40 tiny probes that recognize short protein "signatures," and by using them in combination, you can identify virtually every protein in the human body. Think of it like reading any word using just 26 letters instead of memorizing every word individually. The team built miniature nanobodies and super-resolution microscopes to make this work on real biological samples, laying the groundwork for a completely new way to diagnose diseases from blood or spinal fluid.

By the numbers

20-40

universal nanobody probes needed to identify virtually any protein in the human proteome

demonstrator deliverables including microfluidic device, microscope, and proof-of-principle

consortium partners across 3 countries (DE, IL, SE)

total project deliverables

industrial partner (SME) in the consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Current protein detection in diagnostics and research requires a unique custom antibody for every single protein you want to identify. This is slow, expensive, and limits how many proteins you can analyze at once. Companies developing diagnostic tests or running proteomics studies face mounting costs and timelines because each new target demands its own antibody development and validation process.

The solution

What was built

The team built a microfluidic application device, a semi-automated microscope, a setup capable of imaging large gels at nanoscale resolution, and delivered a proof-of-principle demonstration. These prototypes show that 20-40 universal nanobody probes, applied in combination, can identify proteins by reading their peptide signatures — eliminating the need for protein-specific antibodies.

Audience

Who needs this

IVD test kit manufacturers developing multi-biomarker diagnostic panelsPharma companies running large-scale proteomics for drug target discoveryClinical laboratories performing routine protein-based diagnosticsLife science instrumentation companies building next-gen imaging platformsBiotech startups developing liquid biopsy or cerebrospinal fluid diagnostics

Business applications

Who can put this to work

In Vitro Diagnostics

enterprise

Target: IVD test kit manufacturers

If you are a diagnostics company spending millions developing custom antibodies for each new protein test — this project developed a set of 20-40 universal nanobody probes that can identify virtually any protein in the human proteome through combinatorial imaging. Instead of sourcing or developing a new antibody for every biomarker, you could license this platform approach to dramatically cut assay development timelines and costs.

Pharmaceutical R&D

enterprise

Target: Drug discovery and biotech companies

If you are a pharma or biotech company struggling with slow, expensive proteomics workflows during drug target validation — this project built a semi-automated microscope and microfluidic device that images proteins at the nanoscale. This means you could screen entire proteomes of patient samples in a single workflow, replacing sequential antibody-based blotting with a combinatorial readout.

Laboratory Equipment & Reagents

mid-size

Target: Life science instrumentation companies

If you are an instrumentation company looking for the next generation of imaging platforms beyond traditional fluorescence microscopy — this project delivered a proof-of-principle demonstration and a setup capable of imaging large gels at nanoscale resolution. Licensing or co-developing this technology could open a new product line in high-throughput proteome imaging.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt this technology?

The project data does not include pricing or budget information. However, the technology relies on 20-40 nanobody probes and specialized nanoscale imaging equipment including a microfluidic device and semi-automated microscope. Costs would likely involve licensing fees for the probe set design plus capital investment in compatible imaging hardware.

Can this scale to industrial throughput?

The project demonstrated proof-of-principle and built a semi-automated microscope and microfluidic application device, suggesting early steps toward automation. The setup capable of imaging large gels indicates scaling was considered. However, this is still at the research-to-prototype stage and would need further engineering for high-throughput clinical or industrial deployment.

What is the IP situation and how can I license this?

The project was funded under FET Open (FETOPEN-01-2018-2019-2020), a Research and Innovation Action. IP is likely held by the consortium led by University Medicine Göttingen. The core IP likely covers the combinatorial nanobody probe design and the imaging methodology. Licensing negotiations would go through the university's technology transfer office.

Is this ready for clinical diagnostics use?

Not yet. The project delivered a proof-of-principle demonstration starting with 2D samples such as fluids adsorbed to coverslips. The objective states this lays the foundation for future diagnostic studies using human fluids like plasma or cerebrospinal fluid. Regulatory approval and clinical validation would still be required.

How does this compare to existing proteomics methods like mass spectrometry?

Unlike mass spectrometry, this approach preserves spatial information — you see where each protein is located in the sample. It uses 20-40 nanobody probes applied combinatorially to identify proteins by their peptide signatures at nanoscale resolution. Based on available project data, the team claims this could make antibody-based imaging, blotting and diagnostics obsolete.

What is the timeline to a commercial product?

The project ran from 2021 to 2024 and is now closed. Deliverables include prototype devices and proof-of-principle demonstration, but commercialization would require further development, clinical validation, and regulatory clearance. Based on available project data, a commercial product is likely several years away without additional investment.

Consortium

Who built it

The IMAGEOMICS consortium is compact — 4 partners across Germany, Israel, and Sweden — with 3 universities and 1 industrial SME partner (25% industry ratio). The project was coordinated by University Medicine Göttingen, a major German research hospital. The small consortium size is typical for FET Open projects focused on breakthrough science. Having an industrial SME on board suggests some commercial awareness, but this is predominantly an academic effort. A business partner looking to commercialize would likely need to bring manufacturing scale-up and regulatory expertise that the current consortium may lack.

UNIVERSITAETSMEDIZIN GOETTINGEN - GEORG-AUGUST-UNIVERSITAET GOETTINGEN - STIFTUNG OEFFENTLICHEN RECHTSCoordinator · DE
KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLANparticipant · SE
BAR ILAN UNIVERSITYparticipant · IL

How to reach the team

University Medicine Göttingen, Germany — reach out through their technology transfer office or the Rizzoli Lab directly.

Order a report on this consortium See UNIVERSITAETSMEDIZIN GOETTINGEN - GEORG-AUGUST-UNIVERSITAET GOETTINGEN - STIFTUNG OEFFENTLICHEN RECHTS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing this universal proteomics platform for your diagnostics or pharma R&D pipeline? SciTransfer can broker the introduction to the research team and help structure the conversation.

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