Project description DEENESFRITPL Maximum-precision, minimally invasive tumour diagnosis The endoscopic diagnosis and therapy of tumours currently suffer from limited sensitivity and specificity, resulting in overtreatment and undertreatment, tumour recurrence, intra-operative complications and high costs. However, the EU-funded COMBIOSCOPY project aims to revolutionise clinical endoscopic imaging by combining biophotonics and computer-assisted interventions. The project aims to develop quantitative multimodal imaging biomarkers that provide information beyond that seen with the naked eye. This will be achieved by combining white light images with multispectral optical and photoacoustic images to reconstruct the visible surface in 3D and subsurface anatomical and functional details. The project’s ultimate goal is to provide high-precision, minimally invasive tumour diagnosis and therapy at low cost. COMBIOSCOPY has the potential to reduce the incidence of overtreatment and undertreatment. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Key challenges in endoscopic tumor diagnosis and therapy consist of the detection and discrimination of malignant tissue as well as the precise navigation of medical instruments. Currently, a low level of sensitivity and specificity in tumor detection and lack of global orientation lead to both over- and undertreatment, tumor recurrence, intra-operative complications, and high costs. The goal of this multidisciplinary project is to revolutionize clinical endoscopic imaging based on the systematic integration of two new but independant fields of research up until this point: Biophotonics and computer-assisted interventions (COMputational BIOphotonics in endoSCOPY).For the first time, quantitative multi-modal imaging biomarkers based on structural and functional data are being developed to enhance the physician’s view by providing information that cannot be seen with the naked eye. To this extent, white light images co-registered with multispectral optical and photoacoustic images will be processed in a combined manner to dynamically reconstruct not only the visible surface in 3D but also subsurface anatomical and functional detail such as 3D vessel topology, blood volume and oxygenation. Spatio-temporal registration of multi-modal data acquired before and during the procedure will enable (1) the highly specific local tissue classification and discrimination based on tissue shape, texture, function and radiological contrast imagery as well as (2) global context-aware instrument guidance.This innovative approach to radiation-free real-time imaging will be implemented and evaluated by means of computer-assisted colonoscopy and laparoscopy. The potential socioeconomic impact of providing high precision minimally-invasive tumor diagnosis and therapy at low cost is extremely high. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensorsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesnuclear physicssocial sciencessociologysocial issuessocial inequalitiesnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencemachine learningnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsfibre optics Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-StG-2014 - ERC Starting Grant Call for proposal ERC-2014-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-STG - Starting Grant Host institution DEUTSCHES KREBSFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM HEIDELBERG Net EU contribution € 1 256 437,50 Address IM NEUENHEIMER FELD 280 69120 Heidelberg Germany See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Heidelberg, Stadtkreis Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 256 437,50 Beneficiaries (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all DEUTSCHES KREBSFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM HEIDELBERG Germany Net EU contribution € 1 256 437,50 Address IM NEUENHEIMER FELD 280 69120 Heidelberg See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Heidelberg, Stadtkreis Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 256 437,50 UNIVERSITATSKLINIKUM HEIDELBERG Germany Net EU contribution € 116 924,50 Address IM NEUENHEIMER FELD 672 69120 Heidelberg See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Heidelberg, Stadtkreis Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 116 924,50 IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 126 337,00 Address SOUTH KENSINGTON CAMPUS EXHIBITION ROAD SW7 2AZ LONDON See on map Region London Inner London — West Westminster Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 126 337,00