On-chip tomographic microscopy: a paraDIgm Shift for RevolUtionizing lab-on-a-chiP bioimaging technology

Introduction

DISRUPT aims at revolutionising the field of biomedical imaging by developing a radically new lab-on-chip technology: integrated tomographic microscopy. This unprecedented technique will be enabled by pushing forward the science of on-chip wireless photonics and tomography, in combination with microfluidics and artificial intelligence (AI).

Paradigm Shift

The CMOS compatibility of this technology represents a paradigm shift as it assures the realization of tomographic microscopes that are dramatically cheaper, lighter, and smaller than current approaches.

Key Advantages

Moreover, the singular features of the proposed solution introduce key advantages in terms of:

• Resolution
• Sensitivity
• Throughput
• Parallelisation
• Energy efficiency

Potential Applications

To illustrate its potential, we will show that on-chip TPM can be used for cancer detection and the identification of infected cells. Developments related to fundamental nanoantenna and diffraction tomography science, nanophotonics, nanofabrication, microfluidics, AI, and clinical validation will be undertaken by a consortium comprised of:

1. 2 SMEs
2. 1 HE
3. 1 Non-profit RO
4. 2 Cancer R&D Medical institutions

This consortium includes members with complementary expertise, leaders in their respective markets and R&D fields.

Broader Implications

This novel device is suited for many applications, such as:

• Early cancer diagnosis
• Cell characterisation
• Research on cancer and infectious diseases
• Immunocyte phenotyping
• Stem cell multipotency identification
• Tissue pathology
• Haematopathology
• Analysis of infected cells

Its intrinsic mass-producible, compact, low-cost, mechanically robust, and energy-efficient features make this technology a future innovation driver for new developments in many biomedical application fields.

Societal Impact

Moreover, it offers an alternative toolset addressing some of the emerging needs of microscopic analysis and diagnostics in low-resource settings, telemedicine applications, and point-of-care, having a potentially huge societal impact fostering early diagnosis of cancer and other diseases and infections.