Fluencia: Team for Real-Time Hormone Monitoring in Women’s Health

Female infertility is a growing challenge, particularly in Europe. While assisted reproduction (e.g., IVF) is widely available, outcomes often hinge on precise timing. Today, patients typically undergo repeated blood tests over several weeks, and hormonal therapy can carry risks such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Beyond infertility, conditions like premature ovarian insufficiency and menopause may also benefit from closer hormone surveillance to improve diagnosis, therapy, and quality of life.

Status Quo


Building on previous work and research at the Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology under the supervision of Prof. Cunniberti, a team called Fluencia has been established and is currently seeking funding and support for a project focused on real-time monitoring of key reproductive hormones (including estradiol) using a wearable skin-patch that samples interstitial fluid (ISF) to support timing-critical decisions in IVF and broader women’s health management; the team has already built a first prototype.

Clarification on funding lines


The Fluencia work is thematically and personnel-wise distinct from other research efforts from our Chair: a DFG-funded line focuses on fundamental sensor and materials R&D (including smart‑polymer microneedles), and a DATI line explores collection-only ISF sampling for ex‑situ analysis without wearable biosensing measurements. Related research at the chair is separate from Fluencia. WEREPRO (DFG) concentrates on fundamental sensor and materials research—including CNT-based sensor fabrication and smart‑polymer microneedle concepts—with emphasis on underlying materials and device physics rather than an integrated wearable measurement system. This work is independent of the Fluencia concept and planned activities under the EXIST proposal, ensuring a clear separation that avoids any double‑funding concerns.

Publications

Fluencia: Team for Real-Time Hormone Monitoring in Women’s Health

Female infertility is a growing challenge, particularly in Europe. While assisted reproduction (e.g., IVF) is widely available, outcomes often hinge on precise timing. Today, patients typically undergo repeated blood tests over several weeks, and hormonal therapy can carry risks such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Beyond infertility, conditions like premature ovarian insufficiency and menopause may also benefit from closer hormone surveillance to improve diagnosis, therapy, and quality of life.

Status Quo


Building on previous work and research at the Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology under the supervision of Prof. Cunniberti, a team called Fluencia has been established and is currently seeking funding and support for a project focused on real-time monitoring of key reproductive hormones (including estradiol) using a wearable skin-patch that samples interstitial fluid (ISF) to support timing-critical decisions in IVF and broader women’s health management; the team has already built a first prototype.

Clarification on funding lines


The Fluencia work is thematically and personnel-wise distinct from other research efforts from our Chair: a DFG-funded line focuses on fundamental sensor and materials R&D (including smart‑polymer microneedles), and a DATI line explores collection-only ISF sampling for ex‑situ analysis without wearable biosensing measurements. Related research at the chair is separate from Fluencia. WEREPRO (DFG) concentrates on fundamental sensor and materials research—including CNT-based sensor fabrication and smart‑polymer microneedle concepts—with emphasis on underlying materials and device physics rather than an integrated wearable measurement system. This work is independent of the Fluencia concept and planned activities under the EXIST proposal, ensuring a clear separation that avoids any double‑funding concerns.

Publications