SubsidieMeestersLightsheet Brillouin Nanoscopy: mechano-sensitive superresolution imaging for regenerative medicine
This project aims to develop Lightsheet Brillouin Nanoscopy (LiBriNa), a groundbreaking microscopy technique for imaging viscoelasticity in living cardiac tissues at unprecedented speed and resolution.
Projectdetails
Introduction
Better microscopes have always triggered scientific discovery. Lightsheet microscopy and nanoscopy are no exception and have initiated knowledge jumps in structural and dynamical imaging. However, they do not inform us on mechanical properties.
Current State of Mechano-sensitive Microscopy
The domain of mechano-sensitive microscopy is still in its infancy yet has already unveiled a stark dependence of cellular development on local stiffness and viscoelasticity. For instance, coordinated strain on the sub-millimetre scale is a key ingredient to grow induced pluripotent stem cells into a beating adult cardiac muscle; without such an environment, a twitching heap of cardiomyocytes develops instead.
Research Questions
What are the processes within cells that cause this forked differentiation? How can we optimise the growth of artificial tissue in regenerative medicine? Given the dynamics and 3D nature of the problem, paired with the requirement of sub-cellular resolution, one must conclude that our current instrumentation is not up to the task.
Project Aim
Thus, this project aims to develop a label-free microscopy technique that can image viscoelasticity at unprecedented sub-diffraction resolution inside living, differentiating cardiac tissues at order-of-magnitude faster acquisition speeds than previously possible.
Innovative Approach
This will be made possible by a completely new type of optical element that allows snap-shot hyperspectral imaging at unparalleled speed and sensitivity. Transforming the latest innovations within nanoscopy and lightsheet imaging and using Brillouin scattering as a proxy for viscoelastic tissue properties on the microscale, Lightsheet Brillouin Nanoscopy (LiBriNa) will be the fastest, most gentle, and highest resolution mechanosensitive microscope ever built.
Impact and Future Exploration
Besides being an enabler technology for cellular biology and regenerative medicine, the project will explore new principles in label-free nanoscopy methodology and initiate innovation jumps in optical instrumentation.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 1.807.313 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 1.807.313 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-7-2025 |
| Einddatum | 30-6-2030 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2025 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- UNIVERSITETET I TROMSOE - NORGES ARKTISKE UNIVERSITETpenvoerder
Land(en)
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Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Engineered viscoelasticity in regenerative microenvironmentsThis project aims to develop viscoelastic hydrogels to enhance mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and promote bone regeneration, while utilizing Brillouin microscopy to monitor their properties in vivo. | ERC ADG | € 2.497.246 | 2023 | Details |
Nanoscale Isotropic 3D Resolution using Omni-view Structured Light Sheet MicroscopyThis project aims to revolutionize biological imaging by developing a novel optical architecture for super-resolution microscopy that enhances 3D imaging resolution and sample longevity without trade-offs. | ERC ADG | € 2.293.558 | 2022 | Details |
Development of an In-Vivo Brillouin Microscope (with application to Protein Aggregation-based Pathologies)This project aims to enhance Brillouin Microscopy for real-time, non-destructive assessment of viscoelastic properties in living cells, addressing key biomedical challenges. | EIC Pathfinder | € 3.333.513 | 2023 | Details |
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