Research Completed

Multimodal Nanoscale Optical Imaging of Key Processes and Structures of the Eukaryotic Cell

Politehnica University of Bucharest ·Romania

€1.2m

Grant awarded

Research

Programme

31 August 2020

Signed

About this project

Many cancer cell lines have been found to exhibit multiple structural and numerical aberrations of chromosomes – a condition known as ‘aneuploidy’ and most tumor types are predicted to be the same. It is not yet exactly understood why aneuploidy occurs but increasing evidence suggests that cells which abnormally develop more than two complete sets of chromosomes are likely to finally become aneuploid cells. These mechanisms are intimately intertwined with various cellular processes involved in the regulation of the cell cycle, such as the physical separation of the two daughter cells in the final step of the cell division, the self-killing of cells that malfunction, the internalization of external objects, such as synthetic nanoparticles, and others. Many aspects of these mechanisms and cellular processes are however still poorly defined because an important number of their defining components and properties are not accessible to standard imaging techniques and approaches. This project aims to combine complex optical and photonic approaches with sophisticated machine learning methods to achieve an innovative multimodal prototype nanoscope. This will offer easy operation and flexibility for imaging the structure and chemistry of cells in 2D & 3D based on complementary state-of-the-art and novel imaging techniques, providing unprecedented possibilities for cell imaging. The two partners will involve this prototype system, together with other already existing systems for nanoscale imaging, to implement a series of experiments focusing on questions still pending to be answered concerning the cell life and fate, with emphasis on aneuploidy. The novel research perspectives to be enabled by this project will be important for developing novel cancer diagnostic, prevention and therapeutic solutions that exceed current ones in terms of efficiency and ease of implementation. Other high-impact applications of this systems in life and materials sciences will be as well explored.

Bilateral cooperation results

The collaboration between the team of the Center for Microscopy – Microanalysis and Information Processing at Politehnica Bucharest in Romania, and the Department of Molecular Cell Biology at the Oslo University Hospital in Norway significantly trengthened bilateral cooperation by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, enhancing research capabilities, strengthening institutional relationships, advancing shared goals, and building trust and long-term relationships. This partnership not only advanced scientific knowledge but also laid a strong foundation for future collaborative endeavors. The Romanian team's expertise in optical and photonics engineering combined with the Norwegian team's cell biology knowledge created a powerful interdisciplinary synergy. This enabled the development of novel imaging methods and protocols that neither team could have achieved alone. By pooling resources and sharing advanced equipment, both teams enhanced their research capabilities. The correlative nanoscope developed through this collaboration provides both teams with a state-of-the-art tool that will be highly relevant to conduct high-impact joint research for long time ahead. Team members from both countries had the opportunity to learn new techniques and methodologies from each other, expanding their skill sets and knowledge bases. Publishing joint research papers showcased the successful collaboration and elevated the profiles of both teams in the global scientific community. Jointly applying for research grants demonstrated the strength of the partnership and, will hopefully, provide financial support for ongoing and future projects. The success of this initial collaboration likely paves the way for future joint projects

Project partners

Oslo University Hospital Donor project partner· Norway

Romania country profile Other projects in this programme Project website