RealCare · Real-time biomarker detection systems for rapid medical decision-making in cancer and cardiac diseases

RealCare is a cutting-edge research initiative focused on developing and validating next-generation point-of-care (PoC) systems that detect essential biomarkers in human biofluids in real-time. These systems are designed to be compact, energy-efficient, and integrated with extended reality interfaces, with a specific emphasis on cancer and cardiac diseases in demanding clinical settings. RealCare's approach includes advanced biomarker detection technologies, such as microfluidics and new generations of microneedles, label-free electrochemical biosensors using 2D materials, optical sensors utilizing CRISPR, biological amplifiers combined with fluorescent microscopy, and scalable SPR with energy-efficient electronic readouts, AI data processing, and wireless communication units. Additionally, RealCare will design portable, interoperable, and adaptable PoC systems that integrate the biomarker detection technology with vital sign monitoring, including advanced data analytics and AI methods. The initiative also focuses on developing intuitive extended reality interfaces, such as augmented and virtual reality, to visualize biomarker data in real-time and facilitate rapid medical decision-making in integrated in-care environments and workflows. Rigorous clinical validation studies will be conducted in relevant clinical settings, including the surgery room, ICU, and patient's home, to ensure accuracy, reliability, usability, and impact on patient outcomes.RealCare places special attention on including a diverse patient population in their studies to validate the effectiveness of the developed systems. Data quality, interoperability, and medical data protection are key considerations in RealCare's strategy. Based on our unique PoC technological platform and our strong, multidisciplinary consortium partnership, we propose promising lab-to-market paths with the potential for significant societal impact.