RIBOLUTION Biomarker Center

Over the past few years, the Fraunhofer Future Foundation has supported the RIBOLUTION project consortium, which takes an innovative approach to identifying new biomarkers for modern diagnostic solutions. The RIBOLUTION Biomarker Center was set up as part of a close cooperation involving five Fraunhofer institutes and several universities. It was opened on April 26, 2016, at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI in Leipzig.

At the RIBOLUTION Biomarker Center, novel biomarkers are identified based on ribonucleic acids and developed through to clinical “proof of concept” with the aid of selected patient cohorts. At present, activities are primarily focused on development programs in the areas of prostate cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and infectious diseases.

By integrating state-of-the-art genomic analysis methods such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) using our own bioinformatical data analysis methods developed in house, the RIBOLUTION Biomarker Center is able to identify biomarkers and develop new diagnostic tests at the highest technological level:

• Illumina HiSeq and Miseq: Ultra-high-throughput sequencing platforms
• Hamilton Microlab STARlet/STARplus: Fully automated preparation of samples for sequencing and fully automated extraction and purification of nucleic acids
• Agilent microarray scanner
• EMD: Quality and quantity analyses of minimal amounts of nucleic acids with high sensitivity; developed by Fraunhofer FIT
• QIAcube: Semi-automated extraction and purification of nucleic acids
• RiBOT: Novel procedure for the automated validation of biomarkers in high-throughput based on complex interactions between actuator engineering and media to be dispensed; developed by Fraunhofer IPA

The highest quality standards are defined and implemented from start to finish, which increases the intrinsic value of the obtained data and lays the foundations for the implementation of a quality management system pursuant to DIN ISO 13485, which will become necessary as the project progresses.

New biomarkers are identified and validated using bioinformatical methods. This includes designing custom expression microarrays and analyzing expression microarray data. A proprietary data management system has been developed to store and supply all clinical and experimental data and is used to manage the extensive biobank which has emerged in the RIBOLUTION project.