Project description
Optimising fluorescence microscopy for research and theranostics
Fluorescence microscopy is a valuable tool in cell biology that enables researchers to understand the inner workings and processes within living cells or tissue. However, a lack of suitable instrumentation has prevented its wide use on samples of multicellular systems. Such samples are common in clinical research and applications, including spatially-resolved theranostics – therapy and diagnostics – based on patient material that can lead to personalised treatment. The ERC-funded TriScanner project has already developed a high-performance fluorescence microscope with fast imaging, high resolution and high sensitivity capabilities that is also easy-to-use, durable and inexpensive. It now seeks to scale up its laboratory prototype and create a reliable demonstrator for a wide range of applications. In addition, it will explore business and marketing opportunities.
Objective
Fluorescence microscopy is key technique in the life sciences, though the method struggles to deliver the fast and sensitive imaging of multicellular systems. Such samples are now becoming commonplace not only in research but also in clinical use, including spatially-resolved 'omics' and theranostics based on patient material that allow the development of personalized treatments. However, their general uptake is limited by the absence of suitable instrumentation.
As part of our ERC-funded research, we have invented the TriScanner, a novel fluorescence microscope that offers transformative imaging performance (much faster imaging, higher resolution, higher sensitivity), and is also simple, robust, and affordable. Our TriScanner readily addresses an urgent need in current research and healthcare research, and is well-positioned to scale out from research into 'workhorse' usage in industrial R&D and diagnostics.
We propose to develop this idea from a concept and lab prototype into a robust demonstrator that is showcased on a variety of highly-relevant applications, and that we will leverage to raise user awareness and interact with key leaders in academia and leading commercial partners. This project will furthermore allow us to explore the business case and market potential, in view of developing and selecting the optimal valorization track. We expect to deliver societal impact by providing unprecedented new imaging capabilities in a fast-moving and highly influential research field.
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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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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.
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.
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.
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.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-POC2
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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.
3000 LEUVEN
Belgium
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.