DynAMic · Project

Deep-Tissue Label-Free Microscopy for Eye and Brain Disease Detection

healthPrototypeTRL 4Thin data (2/5)

Imagine trying to look through frosted glass — that's what happens when doctors try to see deep inside living tissue with a microscope. Light gets scattered and blurred almost immediately. DynAMic built a smart microscope that corrects for this scattering in real time, letting you see tenfold deeper than before. On top of that, it reads the chemical fingerprint of what it sees — no dyes or stains needed — so doctors could one day spot signs of brain diseases just by looking into a patient's eye.

By the numbers

tenfold deeper

Imaging depth improvement over conventional optical microscopy

<1mm

Current depth limit of in vivo optical microscopy

1-5

Number of molecular events trackable with conventional fluorescence

at least tenfold

Increase in concurrent label-free molecular markers retrieved

Consortium partners

Countries involved (DE, EL, FR, UK)

Demo deliverables including integrated prototype

The business problem

What needed solving

Current medical imaging cannot see deep enough into living tissue — light scatters within less than 1mm, and tracking molecular changes requires toxic fluorescent dyes that limit observation to just 1-5 events at a time. This makes it nearly impossible to detect diseases like neurodegeneration early, non-invasively, and comprehensively through routine examinations like eye scans.

The solution

What was built

The team built an integrated prototype microscopy system that combines real-time adaptive wavefront shaping, stimulated Raman scattering for chemical fingerprinting, and advanced phase retrieval algorithms — all in a single unit designed with safety considerations for animal and human imaging. They also delivered a standalone adaptive optics module, optimization algorithms for light propagation in tissue, and non-diffracting illumination strategies.

Audience

Who needs this

Retinal imaging device manufacturers (e.g., Heidelberg Engineering, Topcon, Carl Zeiss Meditec)Neurology diagnostics companies developing non-invasive brain screeningLife science microscopy manufacturers (e.g., Leica, Nikon Instruments, Olympus)Pharmaceutical companies needing label-free tissue imaging for drug developmentOphthalmic clinic chains investing in next-generation diagnostic equipment

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Ophthalmology & retinal diagnostics

enterprise

Target: Medical device companies making retinal imaging equipment

If you are a retinal imaging device manufacturer dealing with the limitation that current systems only image superficial layers (less than 1mm) — this project developed an adaptive optics microscopy system that reaches tenfold deeper into tissue without fluorescent labels. The integrated prototype was designed with safety appropriateness for human use in mind, defining what the project calls 'next generation ophthalmology sensing.'

Neurology & brain diagnostics

mid-size

Target: Companies developing non-invasive neurological screening tools

If you are a diagnostics company looking for earlier detection of nervous system diseases — this project demonstrated that the eye can serve as a window to the brain. DynAMic's label-free multi-parametric imaging retrieves at least tenfold more molecular markers simultaneously than conventional fluorescence, potentially enabling detection of devastating nervous diseases through a routine eye exam.

Life science instrumentation

enterprise

Target: Microscopy and scientific instrument manufacturers

If you are an instrument maker whose customers need to image living tissue without toxic dyes — this project built an adaptive module combining ultrafast wavefront shaping with stimulated Raman scattering for chemical identification. The system moves beyond the current limit of monitoring only 1-5 events at once, expanding concurrent label-free readouts at least tenfold.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or integrate this technology?

Based on available project data, no pricing or licensing terms are published. The technology was developed under an EU FET Open grant (RIA), meaning IP is typically held by the consortium partners. A prospective licensee would need to negotiate with the coordinator (FORTH, Greece) and relevant partners.

Can this scale to industrial manufacturing of devices?

The project delivered an integrated prototype microscopy system combining adaptive optics, stimulated Raman scattering, and phase retrieval in a single unit. While the prototype validates the core technology, scaling to a commercial medical device would require additional engineering, regulatory clearance, and manufacturing partnerships. The consortium includes 2 industry partners who could support this path.

What is the IP situation?

As an EU-funded RIA project, intellectual property belongs to the consortium partners who generated it. The project produced 16 deliverables spanning adaptive optics modules, Raman integration, and imaging algorithms — each potentially carrying separate IP. Licensing discussions would go through the coordinator, IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNAS (FORTH) in Greece.

Has this been tested on real patients or animals?

The integrated system deliverable states it was built to 'identify safety appropriateness for animal and human use,' indicating the team assessed safety readiness. However, the project data does not confirm completed clinical trials or regulatory approval for patient use.

How does this compare to existing retinal imaging?

Current optical microscopy is limited to superficial depths of less than 1mm and can only track 1-5 molecular events simultaneously using fluorescent labels. DynAMic's system reaches tenfold deeper and retrieves at least tenfold more molecular markers concurrently, all without invasive dyes or probes.

What is the timeline to a commercial product?

The project ran from 2020 to 2024 and is now closed. A working prototype exists. Moving to a certified medical device would require additional development, clinical validation, and regulatory approval — likely several more years. The 2 SMEs in the consortium may be pursuing commercialization independently.

Consortium

Who built it

The DynAMic consortium brings together 9 partners from 4 countries (Germany, Greece, France, UK), with a mix of 5 universities, 2 research organizations, and 2 industry partners (including 2 SMEs). The 22% industry ratio is modest but typical for a FET Open frontier research project. The coordinator is FORTH (Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas), one of Greece's leading research institutions. The presence of 2 SMEs signals some commercial intent, though the consortium is predominantly academic — a business partner looking to adopt this technology would likely need to engage the SMEs or negotiate licensing from the research institutions.

IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNASCoordinator · EL
IMAGINE OPTIC SAparticipant · FR
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHENparticipant · DE
RAYFOS LTDparticipant · UK
THE UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWSparticipant · UK
ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEUREthirdparty · FR
EBERHARD KARLS UNIVERSITAET TUEBINGENparticipant · DE
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRSparticipant · FR
SORBONNE UNIVERSITEthirdparty · FR

How to reach the team

Coordinator is IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNAS (FORTH) in Greece. SciTransfer can facilitate a direct introduction to the project team.

Order a report on this consortium See IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNAS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing this microscopy technology or integrating it into your diagnostic devices? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the DynAMic team and provide a detailed technology brief.

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