Project description
Microscope add-on enhances the resolution imaging of large tissue volumes
Multi-photon microscopy is a laser-based technique which peers deep into the brain. Trying to capture cellular activity across large tissue volumes with multi-photon microscopy induces faster imaging. As a result, fewer and fewer photons become available to form images. The challenge therefore lies in trying to obtain meaningful images under these dim conditions. A detector-readout method called photon counting could tackle this issue; however, its implementation requires extensive electronics knowledge and custom components. The EU-funded PySightBox project plans to commercialise PySight, a hardware and open-source software solution whose easy installation procedure and integration with state-of-the-art hardware eliminate such concerns. Using PySight, microscopists can conduct rapid imaging of large volumes over long sessions, without compromising spatial or temporal resolution.
Objective
Multi-photon microscopy is the gold-standard brain imaging approach to study the brain and other organs in action and is used across hundreds of laboratories worldwide. The current attempts to imaging increasingly large tissue volumes pushed multi-photon microscopy into the photon-deprived regime (i.e. the dim conditions that result from moving faster allowing collection of less photons per pixel/voxel). Under these condition, the relative few photons detected can be lost in the electronics noise of the system. Photon-counting techniques overcome this hurdle yet its implementation requires either custom electronics (and electronics expertise) or the use of relative expensive commercial solutions that are not tailored for this type of imaging thus providing only a partial solution. Therefore there is an unmet need in the market today for an easy to implement photon counting solution that seamlessly integrates into existing imaging setups and provides all the required software to perform intravital multi-dimensional imaging. This project aims to commercialize PySight, an add-on hardware and software solution tailored exactly to fill this market gap. Moreover, the product I propose to develop here targets both the academic and medical sectors as multi-photon diagnostic are becoming more common nowadays. Beyond achieving the unmet needs, our prototype improves many aspects of imaging (such a neuronal population imaging in single and rapid volumetric imaging). Its spatio-temporal resolution outperforms top-tier imaging setups while retaining over 200 times lower data rates. Importantly, PySight requires no electronics expertise and its software is open-source.
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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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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
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.
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant
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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) ERC-2019-PoC
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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.
69978 Tel Aviv
Israel
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.