Supramolecular Sensor Microplates for Metabolite Diagnostics

Objective

SupraPlate addresses a pressing unmet need by enabling robust, decentralised analysis of small-molecule biomarkers. Amino acids, polyamines, catecholamines, and indolic metabolites are established and emerging indicators of human health and plant physiology, yet their quantification still relies mostly on chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) pipelines that are costly, technically demanding, and unsuitable for field-based use. Existing biomolecule-based assays, such as those employing enzymes or antibodies, are typically limited to single analytes and constrained by cold-chain logistics. Building on our ERC CoG project, where we create a portfolio of supramolecular sensors (“SupraSensors”) that operate at physiologically relevant concentrations, SupraPlate will now explore the translational step. It will develop multiplexed sensor plates deployable in diverse laboratories for detecting small-molecule bioactive compounds. Specifically, the SupraSensors will be immobilised as dry, shelf-stable films, embedded with calibrants, and shielded by protective layers. These plates/chips will be compatible with both standard and next-generation portable plate readers. Dedicated software will deconvolute the cross-reactive response patterns into absolute concentrations of multiple metabolites in parallel. The project will demonstrate feasibility through comparative studies with clinical and plant-science partners. By delivering quantitative readouts at a fraction of the cost and complexity of LC–MS, SupraPlate establishes the foundation for a new generation of decentralised metabolite diagnostics. This creates pathways from preventive healthcare to agritech monitoring and offers a technology platform attractive to investors and industrial partners. In the longer term, the same principles could enable true point-of-care and even home-use devices, empowering individuals to monitor health, stress, or nutrient status, and allowing farmers to track plant health in the field.