Project description
Non-invasive imaging revolutionises organoid research
The rapid growth in organoid use, particularly for graft tissues and drug trials, has created a pressing need for non-invasive, high-throughput quality control methods. Current imaging techniques damage organoids, preventing their use in long-term studies or therapy evaluations. Without reliable, marker-free imaging, researchers face challenges in accurately tracking cell activity over time. This gap hampers progress in fields like cancer, neurology, and gastroenterology. In this context, the ERC-funded LiveOrg project offers a solution with Dynamic Full Field Optical Coherence Tomography (DFFOCT). This patented, non-invasive imaging system delivers high-resolution, 3D images of cell models over extended periods, without harming the samples. LiveOrg aims to expand this breakthrough technology beyond retinal organoids to other medical fields.
Objective
The increased use of organoids (22% growth rate market) creates a new need: methods of rapid high throughput screening of the organoids for quality control in the case where they are to be used as graft tissues or in drug screening trials, while at the same time not damaging the organoids so that they may be used for graft, or followed up long term for therapy efficacy evaluation or disease modeling applications. Current imaging methods for organoids do not meet this need as they are invasive and cause damage to the sample. Our team of experts in optics and biology propose a modular solution to live image 2D and 3D cell models with an unprecedented resolution and without use of any kind of marker over a multiple week time span. Dynamic Full Field Optical Coherence Tomography (DFFOCT) is a non-invasive, 3D, label free, live, long term, high resolution, modular imaging system, for which we own two patents. It is an interferometric technique where the image contrast is generated by movements of subcellular organelles such as mitochondria, producing a quantitative colormap linked to cell activity. The present Proof of Concept project LiveOrg seeks to valorise the live imaging method developed for retinal organoids in ERC Consolidator Optoretina, and disseminate this technology to a wide audience outwith the retina, including cancer, neurology, gastroenterology, hematology, and development. The LiveOrg project specifically aims to consolidate the team by hiring an engineer dedicated to design, construction and installation of DFFOCT modules; duplicate the DFFOCT module; install the modules at KOL sites; and acquire and analyse data with these modules in concertation with the KOLs to disseminate results. Thanks to this project, we anticipate that we may attract interest from investors which would allow us to create a startup, and potentially from known microscope manufacturers who could distribute our modules, or to whom we could license our patents.
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.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine ophthalmology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine hematology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine gastroenterology
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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)
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Topic(s)
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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.
Funding Scheme
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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.
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-2023-POC
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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.
75654 PARIS
France
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