Photonscore GmbH is a spin-off from Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology in Magdeburg.

The project “EXIST — Research Transfer: Photonscore — ultra-sensitive and ultra-fast research camera” is supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi) and the European Social Fund (ESF) within the framework of the “EXIST — business start-ups from science” programme.

Additionally, our work was supported by BMBF Novel Optics, FKZ 13N10077; BMBF Biophotonic V, FKZ 13N12675; BMBF Research Campus STIMULATE, FKZ: 03FO16101C; DFG SFB 854 TPZ; DFG FOR 521 HA-3498/1-3.

Projects

TIRAMISU

Timespan 01.08.2021 -31.07.2024

Time resolved Raman- und Metabolic Imaging Spectroscopy (TIRAMISU)

The TIRAMISU project focuses on developing a non-invasive endoscopic method for the early detection of microbial infections in the human body. By analyzing metabolic changes and molecular "fingerprints" in the oral, throat, and pharyngeal regions, this method aims to identify infections before they develop into severe conditions.

Head and neck tumors are among the most common cancers, with over 18,000 new cases annually in Germany and a high mortality rate. Research shows that microorganisms in the oral cavity play a role in the development of precancerous lesions and malignant tumors. The composition of the oral microbiome could serve as an early biomarker for cancer diagnosis.

The project involves developing a laboratory prototype of an ultra-sensitive, time-resolved camera system combined with an optical setup using ultrashort pulse lasers. This system captures molecular structures from various spectral ranges and analyzes them through a specialized spectrometer. The Time Resolved Raman (TIRA) approach enhances contrast by separating molecular vibrations from fluorescence.

Application studies will use this technique to investigate microbial infections in three-dimensional tissue models via endoscopy. Industry partners aim to refine the technology for routine clinical use, improving early detection and treatment of microbial infections and related diseases.

Research and Development of Single Photon Counting “in-vivo-Cam”

Timespan 01.01.2019 – 31.12.2021

This collaborative project aims the research and development of an innovative, highly sensitive, in vivo camera for diagnosis of eye disorders. A prototype of this single photon counting camera (LINCam) has been developed by our collaborators from Photonscore GmbH. This camera is able to detect auto-fluorescence in live cells in vitro with very low light intensity (<50 mW/cm²) and without any additional labelling of the cells. These preliminary observations are very promising for our aim to detect eye disorders in rats and patients in vivo through fluorescence lifetime imaging by time-correlated single-photon counting (FLIM) as a very mild procedure. In order to employ this technique in vivo, we would like to benefit from our experience in ‘in vivo confocal neuroimaging’ (ICON). This well-established method was first described by Sabel et al. Nature Medicine, 1997 and can be used to detect pre-labelled retinal ganglion cells in narcotised rats. Initial comparison of both techniques will help us to determine parameters for in vivo imaging optimisation with the new camera. Therefore, subcellular changes need to be identified, the survival of sensitive cells such as neurons needs to be monitored and long-term imaging effects need to be defined under normal and pathological conditions. Further development of a user-friendly software tool will finally lead to the production of an EYECam prototype, which should not just be usable for basic research on eye structures in animals, but also as prototype for an eye diagnosis system usable for future patients.