L'Oréal is a global leader in the beauty industry, renowned for its commitment to innovation and universalization. It focuses on understanding and respecting the diverse needs, desires, and cultural differences of consumers worldwide. L'Oréal operates a vast network of Research & Innovation hubs strategically located in key markets, including the United States, Japan, Brazil, China, India, and South Africa, enabling the development of tailor-made products that resonate with local consumers.In addition to its focus on innovation, L'Oréal is dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices. The company has set goals to reduce its environmental footprint and promote responsible sourcing, reflecting its broader mission to create a positive societal impact. Through its investment in scientific research, L'Oréal not only meets consumer needs but also addresses pressing global challenges, supporting advancements in fields like biotechnology and sustainability. L'Oréal’s values of inclusivity, sustainability, and empowerment resonated deeply with our Patras Medicine iGEM team, motivating us to create innovative biotechnological solutions that can truly change lives. Their commitment to advancing science and fostering a sustainable future inspired us every day to make a meaningful impact through our research in Synthetic Biology.

Elval is the aluminium rolling division of ElvalHalcor SA (ELHA:ATH), a leading global aluminium and copper manufacturer with a strong production base across 15 plants, cutting-edge technology, and a solid market presence in more than 90 countries. Elval has 50 years of rolling and recycling expertise, designing and manufacturing innovative aluminium solutions while building trusted partnerships across the globe. The extensive custom-made product portfolio serves the packaging, transportation, automotive, HVAC&R, building and construction, energy, and industrial markets. Through continuous investments in R&D&I and the in-house Technology Centre, we invest in highly specialized human talent, responsible production, and environmental protection, enabling the transition to climate neutrality and the contribution of aluminium to a circular economy. For more information about Elval, please visit www.elval.com.

Symetal is an ever-growing manufacturer of diverse aluminium foil products, mainly used in packaging solutions for the food, pharmaceutical, and tobacco industries. With over 40 years’ expertise in aluminium foil rolling and converting processing, two state-of-the-art production facilities, and export activity in more than 70 countries, Symetal offers innovative and competitive, high value-added solutions meeting the needs of the most demanding international customers. Symetal implements ongoing and strategic investments primarily focused on the optimisation of the production processes and the development of products of outstanding quality. A strategic partner to major consumer, food, and pharmaceutical packaging manufacturers, Symetal leverages its long-term experience and extensive technical expertise, emphasizing sustainable practices and circular economy.

Anoxal is a specialized aluminum casting and recycling unit that is part of ElvalHalcor S.A. Based on innovative ideas and the latest technological advancements, we produce high-quality products, always focusing on the human factor and the environmental impact. Safety and health at work are our priorities, while we accommodate environmental protection and pursue sustainability via our manufacturing processes. We invest in research and development utilizing advanced equipment and the implementation of sound environmental practices, offering products and solutions that contribute to promoting a sustainable future.

PharmaPath is dedicated in the pharmaceutical industry through a steadfast commitment to respecting patients, supporting the healthcare system, and achieving excellence in customer care for its partners. The company continually explores new opportunities and advances in technology to provide high-quality, effective generic medicines to the international market. With a focus on collaboration and a customer-oriented approach, Pharma Path stands by its partners throughout the entire product lifecycle. Their mission is to enhance human health and well-being, striving to improve daily healthcare outcomes and deliver impactful solutions that benefit patients worldwide. By supporting our research, Pharma Path demonstrated their belief in fostering innovation and nurturing the next generation of scientific minds, furthering their commitment to advancing healthcare for all.

Pfizer is a leading global pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, renowned for developing innovative medicines and vaccines that improve human health. With a legacy of over 170 years, Pfizer has played a pivotal role in advancing medical research and delivering life-saving treatments across a wide range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, and infectious diseases. The company's commitment to scientific excellence and its focus on addressing unmet medical needs have positioned it at the forefront of the healthcare industry worldwide. Pfizer, as a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, has long been committed to advancing science and improving human health. With this same dedication, they chose to support our project focused on finding a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Recognizing the potential and innovation that a student team brings, Pfizer saw the value in empowering young researchers at the start of their journey. Their financial support reflects their belief in the importance of fostering scientific breakthroughs and their unwavering commitment to addressing critical health challenges.

The University of Patras was founded in the city of Patras, Greece in 1964 and started to operate in the academic year of 1966-1967. The University is situated in Patras, Agrinion and Messolonghi. The main campus is located 7 km North East of the city of Patras. The University of Patras is the third largest University in Greece in terms of students, faculty members, administrative personnel, number of departments and degrees awarded. It includes 35 Departments covering a wide range of disciplines. It also hosts 161 laboratories and 17 fully equipped clinics. Besides its distinguished path in education, the University of Patras excels in various fields of basic and applied research. The University of Patras has acquired international prominence in research areas such as Health, Environment, Biotechnology, Mechanics, Electronics, Informatics and Basic Science. A number of its academic Departments, laboratories and clinics have been recognized as centres of excellence on the basis of international assessment. The University of Patras has acquired a reputation for producing quality and innovative research and for taking part in a plethora of research projects, scientific organizations and research groups. Together with its educational and research work, the vibrant campus life of the University of Patras attracts many students every year as their first and foremost choice for Higher Education studies.

As a leading technology company, IFSAS specializes in the design, supply and installation of advanced security, fire safety and automation systems, while supporting the operation of such systems in large and important facilities in Greece and abroad.IFSAS became known in the Greek market and gained the trust of public and private organizations, Greek and multinational companies, with the common feature of the need for modern, integrated and reliable security and fire safety systems. IFSAS' constant goal and constant pursuit is to remain at the top as the most reliable company of advanced technological solutions in the Greek market, informing our customers about the ever-changing challenges and needs in the field of fire safety and security solutions.Thanks to their years of experience and extensive expertise but also their significant partnerships with renowned suppliers and the high level of service they provide, they are able to offer advanced solutions that protect human lives and facilities of all kinds from evolving risks, while respecting and protecting our customers' investments, helping them to maintain their systems in excellent condition and, consequently, significantly extend their life cycle. However, IFSAS company is way more than that. They proved to us from the first moment we approached them their great willingness to help us in our endeavor and with their financial help we managed to take our first steps and start implementing our idea. Without them we would not be here today and we thank them for, above all, showing humanity without belonging to the field of science.

ELPEN stands as a leading Greek pharmaceutical company, established in 1965, and is renowned for its commitment to innovation, quality, and social responsibility. With a robust portfolio of original and generic medications, ELPEN addresses diverse therapeutic areas, including cardiology, oncology, respiratory, and central nervous system disorders.

The company's dedication to research and development is exemplified by the Experimental, Educational & Research Center ELPEN, the largest privately owned facility of its kind in Greece, contributing significantly to biomedical research and education. ELPEN’s international presence spans over 60 countries.

A commitment to corporate social responsibility is evident through numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing public health and supporting communities. As a symbol of Greek pharmaceutical excellence, ELPEN continues to make significant contributions to science, healthcare, and society.

Lamda Laboratories, an Adragos Company, is a Europe-based innovative contract development organization specializing in high-quality research for both generic and generic-plus pharmaceutical products. With a team of experts who have worked on more than a hundred molecules, Lamda Laboratories is dedicated to leveraging its vast experience and resources to create cutting-edge, niche pharmaceutical products that deliver measurable benefits to patients and provide added value to their partners.

Lamda Laboratories, is a forward-thinking organization committed to supporting innovation and scientific progress, like they did to our project for two consecutive years.

The Bank of Greece is the country's central bank. It is an independent authority exercising a public function: it ensures price stability, i.e. the control of inflation (the rate of price increases) and the stability and proper functioning of the financial system. While remaining institutionally and functionally independent, it is subject to the democratic control of the Parliament. The Bank of Greece is an integral member of the Eurosystem and participates with the other national central banks of the euro area and the European Central Bank in the conduct of the single monetary policy for the single currency. The Bank of Greece is not a commercial bank. A citizen cannot deposit his money or obtain a loan from it. In a sense, the Bank of Greece is the bank of banks, i.e. it accepts deposits from and lends money to the commercial banks operating in the country. Their support has been instrumental for our iGEM team, providing us with the resources and confidence to push boundaries in our research

Genesis Pharma is a leading pharmaceutical biotechnology company in Greece, specializing in the promotion, sale, and distribution of innovative medicines. Established in 1997, it was one of the first companies in Europe to focus on biotechnology, paving the way for a new market in the healthcare industry. The company’s product portfolio features original and groundbreaking therapies in various fields such as neurology, oncology, genetic diseases, haematology, and more. Through long-term collaborations with major global pharmaceutical companies, Genesis Pharma delivers high-value treatments that address severe and rare diseases. With a regional presence that extends across Southeast Europe, including Cyprus, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Poland, Genesis Pharma is committed to improving patient outcomes through the latest advancements in medical science. Genesis Pharma not only listened to our vision but also believed in our potential , providing invaluable support that empowered us to turn our innovative ideas into impactful solutions in healthcare.

BIOPIX DNA TECHNOLOGY S.A. is a certified MedTech Company,specializing in the design, development, production, storage, and distribution of molecular diagnostic devices and nucleic acid amplification kits for point-of-care applications. The company was founded in December 2019 by a team which originated from the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (IMBB-FORTH). Their mission is to become an innovation leader in the field of molecular diagnostics and grow into an international company with significant global presence. Their most well known product is their first product to be released, the “Pebble”, is a compact device for performing real-time colorimetric LAMP (qcLAMP) – based on a patent pending methodology. Pebble was created using three-dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing technology and operates via an Android application. As the Patras Medicine iGEM team, we are deeply grateful to BIOPIX-T for stepping in at a critical moment of our journey. Their immediate understanding of our purpose and their insightful questions, aimed at enhancing our project, showed their genuine commitment to helping us succeed.

Established as a leader in the field of laboratory equipment and consumables, Sarstedt specializes in offering tailor-made product solutions across a variety of areas, including molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology. With a strong focus on quality and innovation, the company develops products designed to meet the specific needs of researchers, ensuring the highest levels of reproducibility in analytics. Their extensive range of high-quality lab essentials—from centrifuges to sample storage solutions—plays a vital role in advancing scientific research. By providing us with the necessary support, Sarstedt has significantly contributed to the success of our project.

Douvris is a longstanding Greek company specializing in the sale and distribution of electrical household appliances, energy management systems, and photovoltaic power generation systems. Founded in 1995, the company has roots dating back to 1948, when Nikos Douvris began his journey in the trade of electrical goods. Over the decades, Douvris has expanded and evolved, merging several family businesses to become a leader in the market, with two stores and a large warehouse based in Patras. Douvris remains dedicated to delivering high-quality products that enhance the everyday lives of its customers. With a focus on customer care and a commitment to long-term relationships, Douvris combines innovation, experience, and a deep understanding of consumer needs to maintain its position as a trusted name in the industry. Through its support, Douvris Company has reflected its dedication to fostering innovation, empowering us to pursue a meaningful impact in our research.

Metrolab is a leading supplier of laboratory & medical products, ranging from consumables to cutting-edge analytical instruments. Metrolab's experienced, highly trained and certified sales & technical support teams are able to offer complete turnkey projects from conception and design to commissioning and after-sales support.They cover the entire Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics, Food & Beverages, Water & Environment and Life Sciences markets, as well as all University and Research Institutions and Laboratories of the wider public sector. They support the entire market of Greece and Cyprus. By investing in future breakthroughs like “LETHE” , Metrolab underscores its belief in the power of innovation to transform lives and industries alike.

HansaBioMed Life Sciences, founded in 2007, is the first company entirely focused on the research in the field of exosomes, extracellular vesicles (EVs) and nanoparticles. Together with the research activities, HansaBioMed provides its customers with high quality of services and products dedicated to the exosomes and EV research. The company's product catalog covers a broad range of purified EVs, tools for EV purification, enrichment and characterization.

EXO-Prep is a fast and convenient method of EV isolation from biofluids and cell culture supernatants. Isolation with EXO-Prep is based on chemical precipitation. Samples are incubated with EXO-Prep solution on ice, so that vesicles will precipitate following centrifugation. Isolated EVs are suitable for a wide range of analyses, such as NTA, protein profiling by using different techniques (western blotting, ELISA, FACS), nucleic acid extraction and profiling of mRNA or small RNA markers.

Aegis Advanced Healthcare Solutions is an enterprise aiming to provide the Greek market with advanced Diagnostic and Life Science solutions through selected collaborations.

There is a broad range of reagents and consumables distributed, including:

• Labware
• Life Science Reagents
• Chemicals for Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Chemistry fields

Aegis Advanced Healthcare Solutions offers innovative Biotech solutions tailored for:

• Exosome Research
• Nucleic Acid Extraction
• Molecular Diagnostics

ANVETO MARKETERS specialize in website and eShop development, with a focus on creating user-friendly designs that foster trust and familiarity, ultimately boosting sales and brand recognition. Their eCommerce solutions emphasize the importance of user experience, ensuring customers have positive interactions that encourage both purchases and recommendations. ANVENTO also excels in SEO marketing, helping businesses improve search engine rankings and reach new markets through effective strategies. Their copywriting services enhance website content for higher search engine placement and better user experience, while their digital marketing campaigns use advanced A/B testing and PPC strategies to effectively target the right audience. Additionally, they offer ERP-CRM integration for eShops, automating processes to improve efficiency and accuracy.

The ICT is focused on translational research in cell, gene, and regenerative therapies. The institute consists of the following parts/units:

1. The Centre to Advance Public Awareness & Recruitment of Bone Marrow Donor Volunteers (CBMDP) – “Save a Life” which is a fully functional and accredited local registry centre (World Marrow Donor Association code WO-1041) that has already recruited and registered more than 70,000 volunteers, resulting in the provision of over 150 grafts to patients in Greece and abroad, with a sharp increase in provided grafts per year. The CBMDP has received numerous sponsorships and grants from various sources, namely the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) and Choose Life.
2. The newly founded Cell Therapy Lab is fully equipped with specialized infrastructure (GMP clean rooms) and has received and maintains GMP level certification for the production of “Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products” – ATMPs (Cell and Gene Modified) from the National Medicines Organization, Prot. No.: 80551/2023, dated 29.02.2024. This lab (funded by Choose Life, https://chooselifeworld.com/) enables the introduction, development, and clinical production of ATMPs.

The ICT is in close collaboration with the Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit of the University General Hospital of Patras (EBMT CIC 281) (www.bmtpatra.gr) for the clinical implementation of advanced cell therapies.