Project description
Photo-modulated optoacoustics for whole-animal imaging
Optoacoustic (OA) imaging is a biomedical imaging modality capable of imaging deep in biological tissues. However, it lacks the necessary toolbox of genetically encoded reporters and sensors that allow specific examination of cellular localisation and distribution of molecules. Recently, the EU-funded Switch2See project research team built on expertise in reversibly switchable reporters to introduce the concept of photo-modulation into OA imaging to overcome this limitation. Switch2See will now work to lay the foundations of a toolbox that enables cell tracking over time, visualisation of the cells’ interactions and molecules in the cells’ environment. The project will demonstrate the innovative impact by imaging the tumour micro-environment in whole live animals and visualise aspects of its chemical heterogeneity.
Objective
In vivo imaging of cellular localization and function and visualization of the chemicals that drive life are key challenges for biological research. Current methods limit our insight into this “bigger picture” to either a glimpse (low penetration and small field of view) or a coarse overview (low resolution).
Optoacoustic (OA) imaging has the physical means to overcome these limitations, but it lacks the necessary toolbox of genetically encoded reporters and sensors that allow specific probing of localizations and distributions. So far, all efforts to create such a toolbox were impeded by the strong tissue background inherent to OA. Recently, exploiting my longstanding expertise in reversibly switchable reporters I overcame this hurdle by introducing the concept of photo-modulation to OA. Switchable reporters allow modulation of the reporter signal to separate it from the background – making the latter virtually invisible (“Switch2See”). In parallel, the concept was used by a U.S. consortium in vivo, underpinning its validity.
Hence, now is the time to combine my expertise in switching, protein-engineering, sensors, and OA imaging to create a toolbox that will allow to follow cells over time, visualize their interactions, and image the distributions of chemicals – all on the scale of the whole live organism with resolutions of 20 - 150 µm. With Switch2See, I will lay the foundations by building dedicated screening infrastructure, use it to develop a range of reporters (multiplexing) and sensors, and develop algorithms to convert the photo-modulation patterns into images. I will demonstrate the revolutionary impact on whole-animal imaging by visualizing localization, dynamics and interaction of immune cells in the tumor micro-environment (TME) and visualize aspects of its chemical heterogeneity. Beyond cancer research, this will impact all questions requiring a “bigger picture” – from developmental processes over neurobiology to the functioning of the immune system.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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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
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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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85764 Neuherberg
Germany
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