Project description
3D sequencing-based microscopy for spatial molecular maps
Current molecular imaging and spatial transcriptomics techniques are expensive have limited throughput and are restricted by their inherent two-dimensional nature. The EU-funded VOLUMINEX project will develop a 3D sequencing-based microscopy method for creating spatial molecular maps using DNA barcode networks. This process begins with tissue samples and culminates in affordable molecular images, making advanced imaging more accessible to researchers and clinical diagnostics. The project will apply this technology to organoids with support from life scientists. Project partners will also develop algorithms to address the computational challenges. The goal is to make comprehensive spatial and transcriptomic imaging affordable and accessible.
Objective
Current molecular imaging and spatial transcriptomics methods are limited in throughput and affordability, and are constrained by inherent 2-dimensionality. We propose the Volumetric UMI Network Explorer (VOLUMINEX), a 3D implementation of sequencing-based microscopy. This radical alternative to optical imaging builds spatial molecular maps by sequencing DNA barcode networks where each node is a clonally amplified DNA patch, and each edge indicates inter-node proximity. The resulting network reveals gene identities along with their locations without a reference map. We propose an end-to-end pipeline starting with a tissue, followed by enzymatic processing steps, and ending with sequencing and a computational reconstruction to form a molecular image. We envision this procedure as an off-the-shelf commercial kit, offering an inexpensive alternative to advanced imaging instrumentation, expanding access to more researchers and potentially even clinical diagnostic settings. We are led by a Stockholm-based tech-dev team with seminal contributions to the field of sequencing-based microscopy, and a Stockholm-based company Single Technologies AB with a proprietary 3D sequencing device uniquely suited for validating our technology. We have partnered with an Utrecht-based team of life scientists to develop and deploy our technology on organoids, a rich controllable model tissue-like system perfect for exploring 3D biological imaging. Finally, at the heart of the project are undiscovered laws and physical principles which we aim to uncover and exploit with our Paris-based team of theoreticians, who will develop optimisation, graph theory, and machine learning algorithms to tackle the challenging computational problem of spatial reconstruction presented by sequencing-based microscopy. Through VOLUMINEX, we aim to kick off a new era of molecular imaging where comprehensive spatial and transcriptomic data is accessible, affordable, and 3-dimensional.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- social sciences law
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
-
HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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) HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDEROPEN-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
100 44 Stockholm
Sweden
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.