ELISHA was the acronym of the EU project funded under the Nanotechnology Theme of Framework 6. 

The project was completed on 30th June 2007 and the technology is being commercialised by ELISHA Systems Ltd., a new SME based in the UK.

The full title of the project was:

Electro-Immunointerfaces and Surface Nanobiotechnology: A Heterodoxical Approach.

The project was based around the use of antibodies for diagnostics, with the aim of producing simple biosensors based on affinity reactions but with no labels.

Previously, affinity biosensors based on antibodies, usually called 'immunosensors' have had a major disadvantage in that they need extra reagents to report the antibody-antigen affinity reaction.  Reporters can be enzymes, fluorescent molecules or radioactive isotopes.

To improve immunosensors, the ELISHA project has developed electrochemical biosensors based on antibodies that report antibody-antigen affinity reactions with no added labels. Also simple instrumentation enabling immunosensing to be available to unskilled personnel has been designed.

The initial target analytes were fluoroquinoline antibiotics, cancer markers such as PSA and prion peptides.  During the project the ELISHA methodology has been applied to 15 different analytes and appears to be applicable to virtually any antibody - antigen couple. Furthermore other types of affinity reactions, such as receptors and binding proteins have been demonstrated to give electrochemical signals.  The ELISHA technology is a true 'platform' technology and is being commercialised through a new SME, ELISHA Systems Ltd (ESL). Contact Dr Tim Gibson or Dr Graham Johnson for details using the registration form on the 'Register Interest' page above.