iL-CURRENT
February 8, 2024
Dr. Marian Weiss: "Making new connections"
Dr. Marian Weiss has been Head of Microfluidics at VERAXA Biotech GmbH (formerly Velabs Therapeutics) since 2020. The former physics student and doctoral candidate at the Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg and the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research brings a broad range of expertise thanks to his more than ten years of experience in microfluidics. The last iL workshop in February 2023 resulted in a cooperation with Temicon.
In a detailed interview with Weiss (born 1987), we get into the mood for the workshop "Nano and microsystems technology for the life sciences" on February 15 (10:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. plus open end) at the InnovationLab together with the innovative technologist.
Marian White, the last iL-workshop 2023 had the cooperation with Christoph Stöver from Temicon Micronano Solutions to result. How came it to this and to what extent is both companies this contact good to face?
Dr. Marian Weiss: My main aim in attending the last iLWorkshop 2023 was to find out about the current direction of iL . Immediately after the reception , I had the opportunity to talk to Christoph Stöver over coffee . We immediately identified an interesting interface between our fields of work. Temicon is part of the Microfluidic Innovation Hub , which at the time was conducting a tender for the commercialization of microfluidic chips . This was exactly the step we had already planned for, which is why the tender and the subsequent funding of the project fitted in perfectly with our plans. As part of the project, Temicon will supportus in the production of microfluidic mold inserts .
Screening and antibodyengineering belong the profile of VERAXA. What promise you expect from the workshop about nano and microsystems technology?
White: In primarily first and foremost are we to to it, with experts and researchers on the field of nano and microsystems technology in contact to technology. The networking offers the opportunity, potential cooperations to explore and knowledge exchange knowledge. At the same time provides the workshop in-depth insights into the latest developments in the field of nano and microsystems technology. This can help us help us, our understanding for innovative technologies to expand and new research and development directions for VERAXA to recognize. A concrete example could be the application of artificial tumors be, on on which we our developed antibody formats test antibody formats. To summarize we promise we ourselves from the workshop a broaden our horizons, which not only our knowledge enriched, but also potentials for future cooperation and innovative research directions and innovative research directions.
Dr. Marian Weiss from VERAXA on the iL workshop: "Opportunities to explore potential collaborations and exchange knowledge." Image: VERAXA
Why are in the wide field of life science technologies the printed electronics and about the microfluidics for your company so relevant?
Weiss: Microfluidics enables the precise control of small amounts of liquid in microscopic channels. The production of precise chips is crucial for smooth functionality and we currently produce these in the clean rooms at iL. The automation of processes on the microfluidic chip and the monitoring of these processes are made possible by the integration of low-cost sensors . These sensors can be integrated directly onto the chip using printed electronics , for example. Due to the extremely small size and the small sample volumes, many assays can be analyzed precisely in a high-throughput procedure. Using this technology , we are able to analyze up to one million potential drug candidates within a few hours . This enables us to reliably identifythe most promising candidates from extensive antibodyrepertoires .
Screening chip, which is connected to the screening workstation here. Picture: VERAXA
Why are antibodyscreens with with regard for preclinical developments, the personalized medicine and the precisiononcology important?
Weiss: Antibody screensplay a key role in the identification and development of monoclonal antibodies .These can be targeted against specific proteins that are overexpressed in cancer cells or other diseased tissues . By linking these monoclonal antibodies with a toxic charge , we can specifically eliminate the corresponding cancer cells . Healthy cells that do not overexpress the specific proteins are spared. This strategy helps to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment while minimizing unwanted side effects . In the field of personalized medicine , our technology enables the identification of antibodies that react specifically to individual biological markers or disease profiles . This enables the development of individualized therapeutic approaches tailored to the unique characteristics of each patient .
To what extent is VERAXA with research institutions and clinics linked?
Weiss: VERAXA is the merger of two spin-offs from the research institution EMBL (European Molecular Biology Laboratory), with which we are still closely associated. Thanks to our international and interdisciplinary team, we continue to maintain close contacts with our former universities and research institutions. We are currently concentrating on building up our clinical pipeline, which is why we are increasingly initiating collaborations with clinics.
An example of one of the many wafers that VERAXA produces in the iL clean room and which serve as masters for screening chips. Picture: VERAXA
Quite roughly: Which communicative messages would you on 15. February as set?
Weiss: Our participation underlines our commitment to innovative technologies and our ongoing research work. We want to use the workshop to expand our network , deepen existing contacts and make new connections in the lifescience community. Interdisciplinary cooperation is of particular importance to us , especially with regard to the interfaces between nano- and microsystems technology and the life sciences.
Please complete complete the sentence: I am am especially to my second workshopparticipation at the iL, because ...
Weiss: ... I gained valuable insights during the first workshop and now have the opportunity to deepen this knowledge , exchange ideas with experts and explorepotential collaborations .
Joachim Klaehn
Head of Communications
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