Follow up: CONSENSE meets at SensUS 2024!

Hello everyone! From September 26th to 30th, 2024, the CONSENSE team gathered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, for our final consortium meeting and we are excited to share with you the highlights of the meeting!

Company visits and scientific talks

The meeting began with visits to two companies, Nostics and Lumicks, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. During these visits, the ESRs gained valuable insights into the cutting-edge technology driving their biosensing-based products. Following this, each ESR presented updates on their research in continuous biosensing, sparking engaging and insightful discussions.

SensUS 2024

The ESRs also took part in the annual SensUS competition , where they evaluated the student’s biosensor designs, listened to their pitches, and provided constructive feedback on their work.

It was amazing to use Lumicks' technology to tear apart a single DNA duplex using a joystick — just one of many truly impressive innovations developed in Eindhoven!

The First international Symposium on Continuous Real-time Biomolecular Sensing

As part of the final event, CONSENSE hosted the first International Symposium on Continuous Real-Time Biomolecular Sensing between the 27th and 28th September, 2024. The opening sessions featured distinguished speakers, including Professors Kevin W. Plaxco, Menno Prins, and H. Tom Soh, who presented on topics such as electrochemical sensors, particle-based sensors, and SPR, SER, and FRET-based sensors. Additionally, ESRs Abtin Saateh, Claudia Scarpellini, and Andris Jeminejs delivered oral presentations, while the remaining ESRs contributed by presenting posters at the symposium.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the First International Symposium on Continuous Real-Time Biomolecular Sensing and the CONSENSE final event at TU Eindhoven (TU/e), and I must say, it was an incredible experience. Being in the same room with some of the world’s leading experts in biomolecular sensing was truly inspiring, and I felt privileged to be a part of it as a speaker. The symposium featured a series of insightful talks from leading researchers in the field of continuous real-time biomolecular sensing. The discussions covered a broad spectrum of topics, giving us all a better understanding of where the field currently stands and what the future might hold, including the hurdles we need to overcome and the exciting opportunities ahead. As a speaker, I had the opportunity to present my latest findings, which was an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing discussions and exchange ideas with peers who are as passionate about this field as I am. The feedback I received was invaluable and has given me new perspectives and ideas to think about as I move forward with my research. In addition to the symposium, I also participated in the CONSENSE final event. CONSENSE is a European Union-based consortium focused on continuous optical biosensing, and this event was particularly special as it marked the end of several years of collaborative research. We had sessions where members updated everyone on their progress, shared challenges they’ve faced, and brainstormed future directions for our work. Participating in these meetings is always a great learning experience. It’s a chance to present my research to a knowledgeable audience, receive constructive feedback, and engage in deep discussions with partners from various backgrounds. These exchanges are crucial—they help us learn from each other, spark new ideas, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in biosensing technology. Overall, the symposium and the CONSENSE event left me feeling motivated and excited about the future. I’m eager to continue my research in this dynamic field and look forward to more opportunities to collaborate with such talented and dedicated individuals. A huge thank you to the organizers at TU/e for putting together such a fantastic event, and to all the speakers and participants who made it a success.

Social events

No ITN meeting is complete without social, cultural, and team-building activities. This time, we enjoyed bouldering, playing boules, and mingling with members of another ITN group, SynSensor.

After a long series of scientific events, it's refreshing to have social gatherings where we can unwind and connect on a personal level. Over the past three years, these moments have strengthened our friendships, fostering a collaborative spirit that enhances our collective work.