NanoSCAN · Revolutionizing Spatial Biology with a cutting-edge Multi-Scale Imaging platform

The NanoSCAN project aims to transform tissue analysis with a novel 3D spatial biology platform that provides crucial insights into cellular and tissue functions. Spatial biology visualizes the interaction of molecules with their 3D environment, which is essential for cell and tissue screening. However, most spatial biology imaging technologies, based on wide-field microscopy, have limited spatial resolution and insufficient molecular profiling. A major obstacle to quantitative tissue imaging progress is the lack of a single instrument that can cover various complementary scales from tissue to molecule with high speed, high throughput, and high accuracy. To address these limitations, we propose to develop a new imaging platform, the SAFe-nSCAN, which combines multi-scale optical microscopy solutions, from structured illumination microscopy for rapid cell and tissue inspection and classification to single-molecule localization microscopy techniques for deeper and higher nanoscopic 3D information over preselected regions. We will use an innovative chip-based technology developed under the PROCHIP FET-OPEN project (801336) to ensure robustness and accuracy of the measurements. We will validate and deploy this technology in relevant applications, with a focus on immuno-oncology, to advance personalized therapies. The consortium consists of academic partners who will develop the technology, a non-profit association that will facilitate beta testing and promote the technology, and an SME that will collaborate with a new startup company to manufacture chips and bring molecular resolution spatial biology to the market.