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Enabling Live-Cell 4D Super-Resolution Microscopy Guided by Artificial Intelligence

Project description

A self-driving 4D microscope

To observe and describe nanoscale structures of living cells, scientists employ super-resolution microscopy. However, the high-intensity illumination compromises cell behaviour and may prove damaging. The EU-funded SelfDriving4DSR project aims to overcome this limitation and minimise human input and educated guesses in imaging. For this purpose, researchers propose to bridge and evolve computational optical microscopy and machine learning and develop self-driving microscopes that adapt visualisation in real time. This novel approach will facilitate for the first time the observation of cellular events at the nanoscale, such as the progression of viral infection over time.

Objective

Most fundamental biomedical discoveries are carried by indirect observation, due to our inability to follow molecular-level cellular processes non-invasively in living samples. There is a major need to develop the capacity to directly observe the molecular basis of cell regulation at relevant spatial and temporal scales. My work has focused on establishing Next-Generation Super-Resolution Microscopy able to accurately describe the nanoscale structure of living-cells, beyond the capacity of conventional imaging. Despite significant advancements, Super-Resolution Microscopy does not allow observations for more than a few minutes before damaging high-intensity illumination compromises cell behaviour. Better fluorophores and optics can partly address this problem; however, a fundamental limitation remains - humans drive imaging. In microscopy, researchers take educated guesses on how to observe a sample based on empirical criteria. Acquisition settings are then kept static, despite the diversity of spatiotemporal scales associated with cell behaviour in health and disease. This project will solve these challenges by establishing self-driving microscopes, able to adapt in real-time to the biological phenomenon under observation. Doing so, I will enable the capacity for unprecedented 4D imaging data optimised for content, resolution and quality while remaining non-invasive for long periods of time. To this end, I will bridge and evolve cutting-edge concepts in Computational Optical Microscopy and Machine Learning, effectively establishing Machine Learning Guided 4D Super-Resolution Microscopy. These approaches will enable 4D live-cell nanoscopic imaging over record periods and challenge the assumption that microscopy needs to obey homogeneous temporal sampling. Its enabling capacity will be demonstrated by visualising nanoscale cellular events previously unseen over hours, such as the molecular-level progression of viral infection.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2020-COG

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Host institution

UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 780 688,10
Address
CAMPUS DE CAMPOLIDE
1099 085 Lisboa
Portugal

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 780 688,10

Beneficiaries (3)

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