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Comprehensive Platform for Correlating Biomolecular Dynamics and Biomechanics with Multiscale Optical Spectroscopy

Objective

Measuring the molecular dynamics and interactions of biomolecules in live cells is crucial for understanding cellular mechanisms. While recent advances in super-resolution fluorescence microscopy have enabled molecular-level resolution in fixed samples, capturing dynamics in live cells remains a major challenge. Conventional methods for studying molecular dynamics struggle with high fluorophore concentrations, photobleaching, and the need for extensive prior knowledge about the setup and sample. In addition, measuring the molecular diffusion properties without knowing the local viscosity complicates the study of anomalous diffusion dynamics.

The overall goal of the MotionPicture project is the development of a platform based on optical microscopy with massive information content to quantify molecular dynamics and local viscosity with unprecedented detail, speed, and ease of use. The project involves the construction of a photon-resolved microscope combining fluorescence and Brillouin microscopy. We will use various methods to shape and move the fluorescence excitation beam and tag every emitted photon with multiple signatures, such as spatial information, time of arrival, and energy. We will develop a deep-learning based analysis framework to extract molecular dynamics information from the high-dimensional data set. In parallel, we use label-free Brillouin microscopy to correlate the fluorescence data with the biomechanical properties of the same sample. Compared to the state-of-the-art, this project aims to derive a more complete picture of the molecular dynamics and in a faster, more robust, less phototoxic, and more user-friendly way.

The unique combination of the fluorescence and Brillouin information will have significant potential for the study of biomolecular dynamics. We will demonstrate this potential in the context of biomolecular condensates, which play a vital role in many processes and whose behavior has been associated with several diseases.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

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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.

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.

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2025-STG

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Host institution

FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 497 000,00
Address
VIA MOREGO 30
16163 Genova
Italy

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Region
Nord-Ovest Liguria Genova
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 1 497 000,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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