Project Code: PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-0450
Contract Number: 237PED/
Project Title: Quantitative Nanoscopy for Biological Tissue Characterization
Duration: 16 months (06.09.2017-31.12.2018)
Grant value: 475 000 RON (~102 000 Euro)
Abstract:
The project entitled “Quantitative Nanoscopy for Biological Tissue Characterization” aims to develop a technology for quantitative optical imaging of unstained biological tissues and cells at nanometric scale. The technology we propose is based on a scattering Scanning Near-field Optical Microscope (s-SNOM). It is built as an upgrade to Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and it can achieve nanoscale resolution. The system can achieve resolutions which are roughly equal to the size of the AFM probe’s tip (1-40 nm).
During the project the existing s-SNOM system will be further on developed from its current stage (TRL2) to a new level (TRL4). The new technology will use a rapid algorithm that will allow measurements in each pixel of the s-SNOM image. This will conduct to real quantitative nanoscopy. The s-SNOM output will be a map of electric permittivity (or refractive index) of the sample acquired with nanoscale resolution. Furthermore, the future developed system will have the ability to perform spectroscopic measurements by using a laser combiner and a super-continuum laser kit. The presence of a well-known material on the sample will no longer be needed for quantitative imaging. Signal detection will be done on more than two harmonic frequencies, which will improve measurement accuracy. For rapid investigation, the microscopy system will be upgraded with a special interferometric detection scheme, named Synthetic Optical Holography (SOH). At the end of the project, the system will be able to perform rapid nanoscale quantitative spectroscopic investigations. The targeted samples are biological samples – tissues and cells. The system will be able to acquire nanoscale quantitative information on biological tissues in unstained conditions, which will lead to deeper understanding of nanoscale natural processes and detection of early developing cell diseases, intoxications or parasite infestations.
Objectives:
The scope of the project is to develop a technology for quantitative optical imaging of unstained biological tissues and cells at nanometric scale. The term quantitative refers to measurements of certain inherent characteristic of the sample expressed in certain measure units (e.g. refractive index, absorption, etc). The measurements will be performed in the optical range of the electromagnetic spectrum and will be performed by imaging a certain sample’s area. The project will aim to image unstained tissues and cells with a resolution that falls in the nanometric scale. The technology we propose is based on a scattering Scanning Near-field Optical Microscope (s-SNOM). It is built as an upgrade to Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and it can achieve nanoscale resolution. The system is able to simultaneously perform s-SNOM and AFM investigations and to achieve resolutions which are roughly equal to the size of the AFM probe’s tip (usually around 1-40 nm).
Expected results:
– Pixel-by-pixel refractive index measurement and mapping, in correspondence to surface topography be developing a specific image processing software pack;
– Experimental mapping of refractive index at different wavelengths on biological samples with nanoscale resolution;
– s-SNOM signal reconstruction from multiple frequency harmonics;
– Rapid nanoscale quantitative spectroscopic investigations.
Funding Agency :
Executive Unit for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI)