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New Perspectives in Mental Health Monitoring: The Formation of a European Consortium to Develop Non-Invasive Home Diagnostic Tests for Hormonal Disorders.

 

• In a landmark collaboration set to transform health diagnostics and stress management, three pioneering entities—the medical startup IQ Biozoom, known for its non-invasive home diagnostic technologies; the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Coimbra, Portugal; and the National Metrology Institute TUBITAK, Turkey—have joined forces to launch an innovative European scientific initiative.

 

• Their plan is to develop non-invasive, real-time saliva tests for cortisol measurement. This groundbreaking research is poised to revolutionize the approach to stress management and mental health diagnostics, significantly advancing the creation of more resilient communities across Europe by facilitating the early detection of stress-related health issues.

 

Mental Health on Par with Physical Health

 

Research into the non-invasive detection of cortisol in real-time at homes and its significance for mental health is an important issue not only in the field of endocrinology but also in psychiatry. It aligns with the broader initiative of the European Commission, which in 2023 adopted the "Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health," aiming to treat mental health on par with physical health.

 

In the context of the growing mental health crisis, understanding the role of cortisol as a stress biomarker can provide crucial information necessary for the early identification of mental health issues, thereby improving diagnostics and personalized therapy approaches.

 

Cortisol dysregulation, caused for instance by chronic stress, can contribute to the development of many non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders, and the deterioration of mental health - particularly in the context of conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or occupational burnout.

 

Solutions for Building Society's Psychological Resilience

 

The planned research by the European scientific team on new, easily accessible, and convenient devices for measuring cortisol in saliva with a high sensivity could play an important role in realizing the objectives of the mental health initiative launched by the European Commission. Such research, jointly planned by the medical startup IQ Biozoom, the Medical University of Coimbra, and the National Metrology Institute in Turkey, has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of preventive, educational, and therapeutic actions in the field of mental health prevention, which seems to play a significant role in building society's psychological resilience today.

 

"By combining the expert knowledge of our scientific partners with the technology developed by IQ Biozoom, we have the opportunity to create a pioneering and much-needed solution in the field of diagnostic medicine, offering society an advanced tool for early detection and prevention of a wide range of disorders related to abnormal cortisol levels in the body. The collaboration with leading scientific centers opens the way to developing methods that allow for precise monitoring of this key biomarker, which plays a significant role in stress response regulation and influences the development of health problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and a range of somatic diseases, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This initiative highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in striving to better understand stress mechanisms and their impact on human health, opening new possibilities for prevention and therapy based on a personalized approach to the patient," emphasizes Dorota Dardzińska, CEO and co-founder of IQ Biozoom.

 

The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Coimbra (FMUC) is a leader in conducting innovative research, especially in the fields of biomedicine, regenerative cell medicine, and diagnostics. With its modern infrastructure, it develops breakthrough solutions, such as advanced diagnostic methods and personalized therapies, contributing to a significant improvement in treatment effectiveness and patients' quality of life in Europe. Meanwhile, TUBITAK UME, the Turkish National Metrology Institute, plays a crucial role in developing innovative solutions in the field of precision measurements and standards. It specializes in advanced metrological research, offering support for industry, science, and medicine by developing new measurement methods. With its high-class specialists and modern laboratory, TUBITAK UME contributes to improving diagnostic accuracy, essential for progress in personalized medicine, nanotechnology, and environmental monitoring, becoming a leading center for innovation and measurement quality on the international stage.

 

"The prospect of a joint research project based on the highly interesting technology developed by IQ Biozoom, which is at the forefront of contemporary science today, has greatly interested us. We are eager to engage in the clinical validation of the new technology, especially concerning the current important issue of stress and non-invasive cortisol monitoring," comments Inês Rosendo, clinician and research staff at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra.

 

 

Joint Research Plans

 

The reason for the collaboration between IQ Biozoom, FMUC, and the National Metrology Institute TUBITAK UME is the desire to carry out joint research projects in the area of non-invasive diagnostics, particularly the development of a biosensor for monitoring cortisol levels in saliva.

 

"The innovative approach based on the use of modern semiconductor devices, such as thin-film transistors, in which IQ Biozoom specializes, is key to a precise and easy-to-use diagnostic tool that can significantly contribute to progress in monitoring and treating stress-related disorders. This is the third diagnostic area, alongside glucose and lactate level monitoring in the body, that we are addressing as a technology company. By implementing IQ Biozoom devices into clinical practice, we open up new possibilities for personalized medicine and contribute to increasing the availability of quick diagnostic tests, thereby improving health monitoring," assures Dr. Jakub Kaczmarski, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at IQ Biozoom.

 

See also:

https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-way-life/european-health-union/comprehensive-approach-mental-health_en