Project Code: PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2016-2147
Contract Number: 96/2.05.2018
Project Title: Correlative optical imaging in the far-field and near-field regimes: technical developments and applications
Duration: 24 months (2.05.2018-30.04.2020)
Grant value: 449 995 RON (~96 000 Euro)
Abstract:
Modern investigation frameworks used for the characterization of biological matter, advanced materials or devices rely on a wide variety of imaging modalities. This situation stands behind a perpetual quest of the scientific community to develop novel imaging techniques, methods and protocols which are better than available ones in terms of level of provided information, resolution, speed, invasivity or ease of use. Besides the technical capabilities of individual characterization tools, the correlation of the physical and chemical properties obtained with different techniques is equally important for reaching an in-depth understanding of a sample of interest. Correlative imaging approaches are however often challenging as investigating corresponding sample regions using different imaging systems is a very cumbersome task, and sometimes impossible in the case of samples with time-dependant properties. For facilitating such correlative studies, a multimodal imaging system has been recently developed at the Center for Microscopy – Microanalysis and Information Processing of University Politehnica of Bucharest (CMMIP-UPB). In its current version this imaging system allows the acquisition of optical data on overlapping field-of-views at both micro and nanoscale resolutions, in the far-field and near-field regimes, using a variety of complementary techniques. The proposed project aims to consolidate and expand a team of young research scientists whose work will advance the current state-of-the art on correlative optical imaging at high and ultra-high resolutions. This will be done by placing efforts on two main directions: (i) further improvements of the above mentioned multimodal imaging system from a technical perspective, and (ii) design and implementation of imaging applications focused towards the in-depth characterization of biological samples and advanced materials using correlative imaging approaches based on far-field and near-field characterization techniques.
Objectives:
Objective O1: Novel technical developments that consolidate and expand the imaging capabilities of CMMIP-UPB’s homemade multimodal imaging system for correlative far-field near-field imaging in terms of level of detail, speed, ease of-use, and available work modes.
Objective O2: New imaging methods and protocols for correlative imaging in the far-field and near-field regimes, at high and ultra-high resolutions.
Objective O3: Better understanding of the data sets collected with nanoscopy techniques working in both far-field and near-field regimes.
Objective O4: Design and implementation of novel correlative imaging applications aimed to open new research avenues that can lead to better understanding of cells and tissues in terms of functionality, disease genesis, progression and treatment.
Estimated results:
The proposed developments will yield new possibilities and perspectives for the interpretation and understanding of high- and ultra-high resolution data collected with optical imaging modalities operating in the far-field and near-field regimes, and consequently of nanoscale phenomena and processes that to date remain not properly understood. Moreover, achieving the defined objectives will lead to the following additional results:
– A competitive team of young researchers conducting high quality research on correlative imaging in the far-field and near-field regimes.
– Better understanding of nanoscopy data collected with emerging nanoscopy techniques, such as s-SNOM, FASNOM, SHG-SNOM, STA and STED.
– Consolidated research collaborations with partner institutions and new ones with research teams highly experienced in the field of microscopy, nanoscopy, image restoration, bioimage analysis, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry and medicine.
– Increased visibility of the host institution and of the research team involved in this project via publications in high impact factor journals, or invited talks at prestigious conferences.
– Increased capacity of the research team and of the host institution to successfully apply for
European and international financing instruments, and for intellectual property rights.
Funding Agency :
Executive Unit for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI)