Objective The CARS EXPLORER seeks to demonstrate the concept of innovative light-based contrasting technologies for functional in situ imaging in life science and biomedical research. Our ultimate goal is to develop an endoscope based on non-linear optics (NLO) and laser pulse phase shaping. Non linear laser pulse interactions with living tissues provide unique possibilities, such as an absence of sample preparation, direct multiparametric visualization with molecular specificity and cellular resolution, and deep sample penetration. Nevertheless, the effective transfer of NLO to biomedical applications faces major technological challenges related to the delivery of ultra-short laser pulses, the weakness of the signal produced in biological samples and the difficulty in interpreting generated contrasts. Therefore, the CARS EXPLORER interdisciplinary consortium includes partners with expertise ranging from optical physics to the clinic. The work plan is split into 5 RTD workpackages: three are intended to overcome specific technological problems with (1) the development of dedicated methodology using phase shaping for NLO imaging of deep biological tissues, (2) the development of specific photonic crystal fibre optics for the excitation, delivery and collection of NLO signals, and (3) the extraction of relevant information from NLO signals generated in biological tissues. The two other workpackages will determine the assets and constraints in NLO imaging through appropriate experimental biological models. These models will also assess each technological improvement made on the microscope and endoscope prototypes. Last, to bring the concept to the diagnostic level, we will explore the molecular and morphological NLO signatures associated with tumor development in skin cancer. In addition to the challenge of developing pulse shaped NLO-based endoscope technology, this project will have strategic and economic impact by providing a non-invasive functional exploration method. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologyskin cancernatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsfibre opticsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsnonlinear opticsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics Keywords Non-linear optics animal model of cancer endoscopy photonic crystal fibres pulsed shaping techniques Programme(s) FP7-HEALTH - Specific Programme "Cooperation": Health Topic(s) HEALTH-2007-1.2-2 - Novel optical methodologies for detection, diagnosis and monitoring of disease or disease-related processes Call for proposal FP7-HEALTH-2007-A See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CP-FP - Small or medium-scale focused research project Coordinator INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE EU contribution € 670 812,00 Address RUE DE TOLBIAC 101 75654 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Dominique Nobile (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (6) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS France EU contribution € 574 566,00 Address RUE MICHEL ANGE 3 75794 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Béatrice Saint-Cricq (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data DE DUVE INSTITUTE Belgium EU contribution € 293 604,00 Address Avenue Hippocrate 75, ICP 75.50 1200 BRUXELLES See on map Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Philippe Penninckx (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART Germany EU contribution € 471 960,00 Address KEPLERSTRASSE 7 70174 Stuttgart See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Stuttgart Stuttgart, Stadtkreis Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Dorothee Schettler (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF BATH United Kingdom EU contribution € 526 787,00 Address CLAVERTON DOWN BA2 7AY Bath See on map Region South West (England) Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Peter Hompstead (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data MAUNA KEA TECHNOLOGIES France EU contribution € 353 600,00 Address 10 rue d'Enghien 75010 PARIS See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Caroline Garnier (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data INSERM TRANSFERT SA France EU contribution € 199 800,00 Address 10 RUE D'ORADOUR-SUR-GLANE - PARISANTE CAMPUS 75015 PARIS See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Louis Jammayrac (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data