A growing number of molecular diagnostics (MDx) tests help identify risk factors for disease, characterise disease status and subtype, and determine when and which therapeutic intervention is needed. However, MDx tests are labour intensive, require specialised infrastructure and require highly trained personnel. Only a limited number of MDx systems offer sample preparation but often require manual intervention or are targeted at high-throughput analysis. Integrated cartridges for point-of-care solutions today cannot support a wide range of complex sample preparation protocols. The aim of this project is to develop for the first time a fully automated, integrated solution that can support a wide range of complex sample preparation protocols. The integrated cartridge will be developed so that it incorporates all necessary functionalities for the typical biochemical steps of such sample preparation protocols. Biocartis, a biotech company, is engaged in the development of novel diagnostic technology platforms for low to highly multiplexed detection of molecular-based biomarkers. This fellowship will provide Dr Penterman with the opportunity to experience and learn more about the development phases i.e. implementing a rapid prototyping protocol for the introduction of different functionalities to support different biochemical steps, prototype design, production and assembly. An understanding of the functional testing that will be required to validate the prototype for a first application (Pathogen DNA enrichment) will be necessary to develop the cartridge to meet the needs of the complex protocol. His geographic transfer from The Netherlands to Belgium and from a large multinational company to a start-up SME reflects genuine mobility. The training offered will allow Dr Penterman to evolve from a pure research scientist, with the longer term potential to evolve into a position of management, with the necessary expertise to identify strategically important projects.