Norwegian research partner sought for biological and virological validation of hyperbaric preservation of donor human milk

Gdańsk University of Technology is preparing a proposal for the POLNORIS call, building on the results of a previous Polish-Norwegian research project on hyperbaric storage of donor human milk.

In the previous project, we developed a prototype system enabling the storage of biological samples under elevated pressure at subzero temperatures. In our technology, pressure is generated autogenously during controlled freezing in a closed system. We established effective pressure-temperature-time conditions for donor human milk, demonstrated promising microbiological safety and preservation of selected bioactive components, and obtained patent protection for the developed process.

The next step is to advance the technology towards a more automated, reproducible and user-friendly system and, importantly, to extend its biological and safety validation.

The planned research will include further microbiological assessment, evaluation of viral safety, and extended analysis of immunologically active and other bioactive components of human milk. We also plan to involve a clinical partner, with the longer-term aim of assessing the feasibility of using milk preserved by this technology in neonatal care, subject to predefined safety criteria.

We are seeking a Norwegian research organisation that can bring complementary scientific expertise to the project. Expertise in virology, viral inactivation and viral safety would be particularly valuable. We are also open to cooperation with teams specialising in human milk research, neonatal nutrition, immunology, biomedical sciences or related areas.

We are looking for a partner interested in actively contributing to the scientific design of the project, carrying out a clearly defined research work package, interpreting the results jointly and developing a long-term Polish-Norwegian research collaboration.