The National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” is the largest Research Centre in Greece comprised of 5 Institutes and having more than 800 permanent employees. The center excels in interdisciplinary R&D including microelectronics/microsystems, nanotechnology, biology, disease diagnostics, physical chemistry, functional materials, nuclear physics informatics and telecommunications. NCSR-D is equipped with unique facilities at national level, co-ordinates/participates in numerous European and National research projects and is the partner or coordinator of 10 national and European research infrastructures

The Optical Biosensors Laboratory, which participates in Gohydro, belongs to the Instititute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology , the largest and most multi-disciplinary research Institute of Greece with a long-standing experience in the development of micro/nano-systems. INN was established in 2012 through the merging of three former NCSR-D Institutes, the Institute of Microelectronics, the Institute of Materials Science and the Institute of Physical Chemistry, hence its wide spectrum of trans-disciplinary research. The Institute takes great pride for its cross-fertilization activities and horizontal synergies across its wide spectrum of disciplines. The mission of the INN is to advance the scientific and technological knowledge by conducting basic and applied research in a wide range of Physical, Chemical and Engineering Sciences with emphasis in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The research activities span from the study of processes to the development of materials, devices and systems driven by scientific excellence and innovation. Special attention is given to the exploitation of the results for the benefit of the European Economy and Society in key socio-economic sectors including Nano- and Microelectronics, Photonics, Information Technology, Energy, Environment, Health, Food, Cultural Heritage, the Built Environment and Space. INN is the coordinator of the only research network facility on Nanotechnology and Microelectronics, INNOVATION-EL .

In particular, the Optical Biosensors Laboratory is focused for the past 20 years on the development of bioanalytical lab-on-a-chip devices based on silicon photonics for Point-of-Care/Point-of-Need applications as well as Food Safety and Quality Solutions. Its patented technologies have been steadily receiving funding by the EU and national agencies and they have been applied to various bioanalytical schemes, such as biomarker detection and the determination of harmful substances in food products (mycotoxins, alleregens and pesticides). Currently, apart from the Gohydro project, the Laboratory is involved in the detection of adulteration and harmful species in raw milk in collaboration with one of the largest Greek dairy companies as well as the transformation of one of its photonic platforms to a Point-of-Care Bioanalytical Product through private funding by a tech developer, Athroa Innovations.