In 2016 we were, as a leading laboratory in the field of absolute nucleic acid quantification, approached by Novartis gene Therapies, a leading company in gene therapy, with the request for support in optimisation of therapeutic viruses downstream purification process. Our knowledge, expertise and equipment allowed fast development of protocols and continuous support with different molecular analytical approaches. In the last 5 years, we have been intensively working with more than 10 companies from EU and USA, offering support in analytical method development and qualification and regular analytical support. To develop these commercial activities even more, we have recently established a second spin-out company Niba Labs, to which relevant knowledge was transferred. On the accurate quantification and characterization of adeno-associated viral vectors the paper in prestigious international journal was published.
F.20 Company spin off
COBISS.SI-ID: 5125199Due to climate change, population growth and lack of proper water treatment, the availability of clean water is in constant decline. Among the many waterborne contaminants, viruses present an increasing concern due to their high resistance to water treatment methods, persistence in the environment, and host infection at low concentrations. Numerous viruses can be transmitted through water, which results in millions of infections annually, with high rates of hospitalization and mortality, as well as large crop losses. Therefore, due to the hazardous nature of these viruses, it is crucial to inactivate them. This is why the researchers from the program group, together with another institution, designed a cold atmospheric plasma device for inactivation of viruses such as potato virus Y (PVY) in liquids of high surface tensions, especially water. Such device represents and efficient, environmentally friendly way to clean water without the use of toxic chemicals. Therefore, this device is not only helpful to plasma scientists, but also to water researchers, in their search for new technologies, and to virologists, microbiologists and environmental scientists, to provide them with a new tool to combat other problematic microorganisms. Results on working with this device were presented at numerous national and international scientific conferences in the format of posters and lectures [COBISS.SI-ID 5140815, 5190223, 5071695, 5071951, 60233475], including three invited lectures [COBISS.SI-ID 5083215, 5082959, 5071695]. Researchers were also awarded for their presentations which included the award for the best presentation given to Arijana Filipić at the 9th International Young Water Professionals Conference, 23-27.6.19, Toronto, Canada, attended by 300 young water professionals from around the world. She also won the third prize for the best presentation at the 11th Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School Students' Conference and 13th CMBE day, 15-16.4.19, Planica, Slovenia. Researchers shared their accomplishments on the social media including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the official webpage of the institute.
F.33 Slovenian patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 4955215Due to the very effective inactivation of viruses in water by cold plasma, the researchers wanted to further improve water decontamination. This is why they constructed a device that enables decontamination of larger volumes of circulating liquid. The device is intended for decontamination of water ,i.e., the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms in water with the emphasis on viruses. The device utilizes inactivation potential of two environmentally friendly methods, hydrodynamic cavitation and cold gaseous plasma. Plasma is formed in the supercavitation bubble in which one or more electrodes are placed and enables a formation of many reactive species and UV radiation, which then inactivate pathogenic microorganisms. In this way, water can be successfully decontaminated without the use of toxic chemicals. In October 2020, VirOut device was presented at the 13th International Technology Transfer Conference, where it received the award for best innovation with commercial potential [COBISS.SI-ID 34434051]. Additionally, researchers were invited to participate as lecturers at the prestigious Marketing and Business Development training, organized by ASTP, which took place online between 26.2-5.3.2021. The training was led by one of the leading experts in technology transfer, dr. Jeff Skinner (London Business School, The Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship) and the main topic of the conference was VirOut device. [COBISS.SI-ID 53349635]. Researchers shared their accomplishments on the social media including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the official webpage of the institute.
F.08 Development and manufacture of a prototype
COBISS.SI-ID: 45799939Researchers of the program, together with TV Slovenia, prepared a TV show on gene therapy with viruses, which comprehensively addressed this field. In addition, in the reported period they had 16 contributions for radio or TV in which they informed the public about the achievements on SARS-CoV-2 virus presence in wastewaters and related topics [COBISS.SI-ID 38525699, 5205327, 41271043, 40733955, 49672451, 53413123, 44194563, 41974787, 38525699, 50223875, 49691395 47859203, 19621379], and inactivation of viruses by cold atmospheric plasma [COBISS.SI-ID 38354435, 19161859]. They have also been involved as consultants in two art exhibitions [COBISS.SI-ID 5139279, 515361].
F.35 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 34587353Researchers helped with the organization of two international conferences. Arijana Filipić was a part of the organizing committee during the organization of The 11th Eastern European Young Water Professionals Conference, 1-5 October 2019, Prague, Czech Republic and The 12th Eastern European Young Water Professionals Conference, 31st March - 2nd April 2021. Both conferences had more than 100 participants. As a part of both conferences she also held workshops on how to improve your presentation skills (FILIPIĆ, Arijana, BAKOS, Vince. How to present? : on-line workshop on 19th January 2021, as part of a web conference, The 12th Eastern European Young Water Professionals Conference, 31st March - 2nd April 2021. https://youtu.be/hmTwCRX_q5k. [COBISS.SI-ID 50243075], BAKOS, Vince, FILIPIĆ, Arijana. How to present : 11th Eastern European Young Water Professionals Conference, 1-5 October 2019, Prague, Czech Republic. [COBISS.SI-ID 5190479]).
B.01 Organiser of a scientific meeting
COBISS.SI-ID: 50243075