Project description
Taking confocal microscopy to the next level
Confocal microscopy is a type of fluorescence microscopy that enables the reconstruction of 3D images of the sample with good resolution. The EU-funded QUISM project aims to enhance the spatial resolution of confocal microscopy up to four times through an add-on module for confocal microscopes. This module will also allow quantitative fluorescence imaging. Researchers will test specialised detectors for their suitability to sense conventional fluorophores in various biological specimens. Moreover, through novel image analysis tools they hope to exploit the full potential of the new technology and enable the quantitative assessment of samples.
Objective
"The goal of the QuISM project is to develop an add-on module for confocal microscopes which will enhance the spatial resolution of the microscope by up to a factor of 4 and provide quantitative fluorescence imaging, taking advantage of the Quantum-assisted Image Scanning Confocal method recently developed within the frame of the ColloQuantO ERC-CoG project.
Image-scanning confocal microscopes (ISM), proposed several decades ago and demonstrated for the first time in 2010 are already a commercial reality (led by the Zeiss ""Airyscan"" system). Our recently developed method takes advantage of the inherent quantum properties of fluorescence emission to achieve an up to a 2-fold improvement of resolution in ISM without compromising any of the advantageous properties of the standard ISM system. The only significant hardware changes required for QuISM are the operation of the detector in single-photon counting (“Geiger”) mode and the addition of an electronic correlator element which performs preliminary data analysis on the readout of the stream of photons from the detector array. Within this configuration, “standard” ISM data is readily obtained even when a microscope is operated in QuISM mode.
The QuISM project will set the basis for commercializing QuISM by substantiating the already commercialized CMOScompatible single photon avalanche photodiode array detectors are suitable for this method, proving that the method is applicable for conventional fluorophores used in biology experiments, as well as by developing proper image analysis tools which can fully exploit the potantial of QuISM in terms of acquisition time and quantitative assessment of samples."
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 data science
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy confocal microscopy
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
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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)
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.
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-LS - ERC Proof of Concept Lump Sum Pilot
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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-2020-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.
7610001 Rehovot
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.