QuBe (Tools for Quantitative Behaviour) - investments in growth and employment (QuBe)

Basic data for this project

Type of project: Individual project
Duration: 01/01/2020 - 31/12/2021

Description

Studies and systems for the behavioural analysis of insects and other microorganisms are becoming increasingly important, not only due to the much-discussed insect decline. Since 2013, there have been new legal regulations that promote the replacement of animal experiments with mice/rats with invertebrate model organisms. The diverse areas of application range from basic research, drug testing and pesticide development to environmental impact studies. Our business idea is based on the innovative FIM system, consisting of the FIMTable, which is a kind of optical touch screen for small organisms, and the associated tracking software FIMTrack. The FIM System is based on our extensive experience in the fields of computer vision, machine learning and artificial intelligence and combines this knowledge with the biological know-how of the Cells in Motion excellence initiative. With the help of the "Start-up transfer.NRW" funding programme, we want to specifically adapt our products to customer requirements until they are ready for the market. In addition to the initial academic customer base, we plan to enter the industrial market at an early stage. Due to their applicability to all pest classes (insect larvae, nematodes, etc.), our products are predestined for proving the efficacy of plant protection products. The first pilot phases are already being carried out.

Keywords: Insects; behaviour studies; computer vision; machine learning; growth; employment