Periodic Reporting for period 1 - uCAIR (ULTRA-FAST CHEMICAL ANALYSIS IMAGING WITH RAMAN)
Período documentado: 2024-01-01 hasta 2025-06-30
Most diseases including cancers, viral infections, neurodegenerative conditions, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders, all originate from a molecular level disruption of the biological cell lifecycle. Each year the cost to the EU is ca. 1.9 million lives and ca. €200 billion in health care, informal care and productivity loss for cancers alone. Current live cell imaging tools can only provide a limited view of the in vivo and in vitro microenvironments where diseases originate and grow. The result is a gap in our understanding of the biochemical cellular makeup and how their disturbance leads to disease. By increasing accuracy and speed of imaging and analysis, the gap can be closed allowing novel medical treatments and diagnostics tailored to patients’ specific conditions.
uCAIR brings successful R&D photonics SMEs, research laboratories in optics and cell biology, and world-leading microscopists and clinicians to create an innovative, versatile, practical multimodal photonics platform that will enhance and speed up the way cells are examined by scientists and healthcare professionals. uCAIR will achieve breakthrough results by developing a laser platform that inventively combines non-linear optical fibers, optronics, wide-band coherent Raman and artificial intelligence technologies to image at video rates and track cells and biological tissues with augmented chemometric digitalisation.
The new coherent light sources will be suitable for fundamental research microscopes and microfluidic channels but also in medical imaging instruments, encompassing a value chain for new biomarker discoveries and translation into medical endoscopy, for example during cystoscopy and resection of bladder cancer. Technology progression to TRL 6 will allow first mover advantage with sustainable supply chain. In this way, uCAIR sustains the European leadership in photonics to deliver continuous innovation and outstanding benefits for its economy and the health of its population.
uCAIR brings successful R&D photonics SMEs, research laboratories in optics and cell biology, and world-leading microscopists and clinicians to create an innovative, versatile, practical multimodal photonics platform that will enhance and speed up the way cells are examined by scientists and healthcare professionals. uCAIR will achieve breakthrough results by developing a laser platform that inventively combines non-linear optical fibers, optronics, wide-band coherent Raman and artificial intelligence technologies to image at video rates and track cells and biological tissues with augmented chemometric digitalisation.
The new coherent light sources will be suitable for fundamental research microscopes and microfluidic channels but also in medical imaging instruments, encompassing a value chain for new biomarker discoveries and translation into medical endoscopy, for example during cystoscopy and resection of bladder cancer. Technology progression to TRL 6 will allow first mover advantage with sustainable supply chain. In this way, uCAIR sustains the European leadership in photonics to deliver continuous innovation and outstanding benefits for its economy and the health of its population.
The Horizon Europe uCAIR Project began in January 2024. The project is planned to run for three consecutive reporting periods of 18, 12 and 12 months summing to a total of 42 months ending in June 2027. A first Technical Review has been included in the project after reaching halfway through the first reporting period i.e. after month 9 (M9) with a full reporting submission via the EC Reporting Portal commencing at month 18 (31st June 2025).
Key points noted from the Progress reported by the uCAIR Consortium is that all objectives are expected to be met.
In addition, to date, 3 milestones were achieved, and 13 deliverables were completed and submitted:
• Milestone MS10.2 Distribution list for targeted audiences
• Milestone MS01.1 Consortium bodies established; Online Project Management System
• Milestone MS10.1 Advisory board setup and NDA signed; Business Unit set up
• Deliverable D1.1 – Project Kick-off and Management Handbook
• Deliverable D1.4 – Data Management Plan - First Version
• Deliverable D10.1 – uCAIR Project Website
• Deliverable D10.2 – uCAIR Dissemination Exploitation Communication (DEC) Plan
• Deliverable D1.2 – Data Management Plan - Interim Version
• Deliverable D1.3 – First Period Project Management Review
• Deliverable D1.5 – Progress Report
• Deliverable D4.3 – UCAIR1 Alignment & Control Module
• Deliverable D4.4 – UCAIR1 Innovative lambda-scan Detection Module
• Deliverable D5.1 – UCAIR Benchmark Specimens Preparation
• Deliverable D5.2 – UCAIR Microfluidics
• Deliverable D10.3 – Interim Periodic Dissemination Review I
The uCAIR Consortium are now continuing their work into the second phase of the project.
Key points noted from the Progress reported by the uCAIR Consortium is that all objectives are expected to be met.
In addition, to date, 3 milestones were achieved, and 13 deliverables were completed and submitted:
• Milestone MS10.2 Distribution list for targeted audiences
• Milestone MS01.1 Consortium bodies established; Online Project Management System
• Milestone MS10.1 Advisory board setup and NDA signed; Business Unit set up
• Deliverable D1.1 – Project Kick-off and Management Handbook
• Deliverable D1.4 – Data Management Plan - First Version
• Deliverable D10.1 – uCAIR Project Website
• Deliverable D10.2 – uCAIR Dissemination Exploitation Communication (DEC) Plan
• Deliverable D1.2 – Data Management Plan - Interim Version
• Deliverable D1.3 – First Period Project Management Review
• Deliverable D1.5 – Progress Report
• Deliverable D4.3 – UCAIR1 Alignment & Control Module
• Deliverable D4.4 – UCAIR1 Innovative lambda-scan Detection Module
• Deliverable D5.1 – UCAIR Benchmark Specimens Preparation
• Deliverable D5.2 – UCAIR Microfluidics
• Deliverable D10.3 – Interim Periodic Dissemination Review I
The uCAIR Consortium are now continuing their work into the second phase of the project.
The first phase of the project has focused on the development of a first iteration of the modules and technologies to be used and integrated to develop the beyond SOA system, so-called uCAIR1. The project is on track to achieve results that are beyond the state of the art.