• Development of biosensors and immunosensors.
We develop flow immunosensors, based on heterogeneous competitive formats, with different transducers, useful for the continuous determination of one or more compounds, with sensibility in the order of µg/L, and 600 operative lifecycles of regeneration.
Biosensors are biochemical systems of analysis based on the instrumental determination of an analyte, detected by the interaction with a specific receptor, generally a system with high capacity of molecular recognition (e.g. enzyme, antibody, etc.). Biosensors are characterised by their selectivity, sensibility, portability and economy.
Between the different kind of existing biosensors, the IQMA develops enzyme biosensors and immunosensors for pesticide residues and other pollutants as antibiotics applied to environmental and food-processing.

• Optimisation of inmunochemical assays
This line is focused on the development of inmunochemical methods for the determination of low molecular weight analytes.
Our research covers reagents desig, isolation of polyclonal antibodies and other immunoreagens, testing of formats and work environments and optimisation of the analysis methodology. The application field covers environmental, food-processing , clinical problems, etc.
Immunochemical assays or qualitative and quantitative analytical methods based on the exceptional qualities of antibodies in molecular recognition. An antibody can detect specifically a substance in a heterogeneous mixture of similar compounds in waters or in complex counterfoils like soils, food, etc.
This basic capability is used in immunoassay development, specially for low molecular weight substances such as organic pollutants, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other. The immunoassay optimisation needs the synthesis of different reagents and the production of antibodies, form whom IQMA has an wide own collection.

• Development of DNA's and proteins matrix methodologies on interactive supports type CD
This innovative research line is devoted to develop tests based on molecular recognition applied to Genomic and Proteomic. In particular, gene expression tests, polymorphism analysis and multiparametrical immunoassays on compact disks type CD, CD-R and DVD. We have experience in discs surface treatment technology, fluid control systems, the development of automatic assays and a detection and recording system based on CD readers. Previous results are covered by two international patents.
Most technologies used in Genomics and Proteomics need to detect simultaneously the presence of a huge number of substances (oligonucleotides, fragments of nucleic acids, proteins, etc.) in a complex mixture with minimal a months of sample. This means the development of screening methods based on microarray technologies in which different probes are fixed on a solid support with a high density. This format, known as microarraying, gave place to gene - chips and is being used mainly to perform genetic expression tests, polymorphism recognition, etc., useful both in basic research and clinical diagnosis tests on human, plants pathology, food safety, etc.