Project description
Hardware-software platform for photon-resolved laser scanning microscopy
Fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy (LSM) allows minimally invasive, high-resolution imaging of live cells. When integrated with technologies like photon-resolved microscopy, it has driven major advances. However, its technical complexity limits its use to expert labs. The ERC-funded BrightMind project aims to develop the first upgradable, customisable integrated hardware-software platform for photon-resolved LSM. This will improve support and accessibility for researchers and developers. The project will use a programmable chip that combines processing and configurable hardware, allowing the system to adapt to new technologies.
Objective
Fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy (LSM) is the workhorse of life-science research, enabling low-invasive methods to probe live-cells with molecular sensitivity and high spatiotemporal resolution. Its impact has recently been expanded by photon-resolved microscopy, which uses single-photon array detectors to record photons one-by-one with precise spatial, temporal and spectral signatures. Analysis of this dataset yields unprecedented information, such as sub-diffraction images (down to the molecular scale), functional images, insights into molecular dynamics, and estimates of the microscope optical aberrations. These advances promise new biological discoveries and a new era of smart microscopy, where photon-level information drives experiments in real-time – e.g. correcting aberrations with adaptive optics. Despite this potential, photon-resolved microscopy remains confined to expert labs. Data complexity, fragmented hardware and offline software hinder accessibility, while evolving detectors and (AI-based) analysis quickly outpace existing solutions. BrightMind is the first customisable, upgradable, and integrated hardware-software platform for photon-resolved LSM. Built on system-on-chip FPGA technology, it unifies photon time-tagging with on-board processing, instantly transforming photon streams into interpretable results. This integration makes possible what was once impractical: real-time feedback LSM, plug-and-play use with any LSM system, and flexibility to evolve with new detectors and algorithms. BrightMind provides standardised outputs – from photon streams to pre-processed histograms, from application-ready results to RGB video frames – supporting researchers, fostering innovation by developers, and easing integration for microscopy and photonic devices manufacturers. By lowering barriers and streamlining workflows, BrightMind positions photon-resolved microscopy as the next generation of LSM, paving the way to smart and information-rich microscopy.
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 computer and information sciences software
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
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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)
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.
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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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC
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16163 Genova
Italy
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