CELL’n’ROLL aims to develop next-generation diagnostic solutions for detecting complex diseases such as cancer. Leveraging robotics, artificial intelligence, and microtechnology, the initiative aims to democratize access to these diagnostic tools worldwide. CELL’n’ROLL envisions a future where diagnostics are not only swift and precise but also accessible in resource-constrained settings by harnessing the power of robotics, artificial intelligence, and microfluidics.

The CELL’n’ROLL team consists of Postdoctoral Researchers Alp Can Karacakol, Erdost Yildiz, and the project leader Ugur Bozuyuk. As emerging scientific talents, the team comprises three scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, each with interdisciplinary expertise spanning medicine and engineering, and a collective experience exceeding three years of collaboration. Additionally, the team benefits from mentorship provided by international experts from academia and industry.

The Innovation Fellowship program will support their journey from outstanding research to practical application. The program’s aim is to bridge the gap between research and commercial application by fostering scientific breakthroughs that add value to science, economy, and society. The Innovation Fellowship program is funded by the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (CZS) and offers talented individuals or teams the opportunity to translate their research into tangible applications. With a duration of up to 24 months, researchers work on a project that is not yet commercially viable and requires time for further development and product transformation in a research environment. The program focuses on application-oriented research related to artificial intelligence and robotics. Its goal is to create an innovative spin-off from the project after the funding term has ended.

With its mission of creating “an open environment for scientific breakthroughs”, the Carl Zeiss Foundation is an essential Cyber Valley partner. The foundation aims to accompany the entrepreneurial path of young talent from research to application. It strives to achieve scientific breakthroughs that support research, the economy, and society through funding elementary research and specific applications.

The next Cyber Valley Innovation Fellowship call for proposals will be announced in April 2024. Scientists employed by the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, the University of Stuttgart, and the University of Tübingen are eligible to apply. All external scientists affiliated with these Institutes may also apply.