LICENT · Project

Lab-Sized 3D Cell Microscope Replaces 12-Month Waits at Giant Synchrotron Facilities

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Imagine you need to look inside a whole cell in 3D — like doing a CT scan on something a thousand times smaller than a grain of sand. Until now, the only way to do that without destroying the cell was using soft X-rays at one of just four stadium-sized facilities in the world, and scientists had to wait up to 12 months for a slot. SiriusXT figured out how to shrink that X-ray source down to fit in a regular lab, building the first commercial benchtop microscope that gives you the same 3D view of cells without slicing or staining them. It is a game-changer for anyone studying cancer, dementia, or developing new drugs.

By the numbers

140%

Increase in EU healthcare costs that drives demand for better disease understanding

Synchrotron facilities worldwide that currently offer this imaging — the only alternative

12 months

Wait time for scientists to get access to existing synchrotron facilities

3,000

Target organisations that need whole-cell 3D imaging capability

Total project deliverables completed

The business problem

What needed solving

Scientists studying cancer, dementia, and infectious diseases need to see inside whole cells in 3D to understand how diseases start and spread. Today, the only way to do this without destroying the cell is soft X-ray microscopy — but it is only available at 4 synchrotron facilities worldwide, with wait times up to 12 months. This bottleneck slows down drug discovery and disease research across an estimated 3,000 organisations that need this capability.

The solution

What was built

SiriusXT built the SXT-100, the first commercial lab-scale soft X-ray microscope, powered by a patented miniaturised X-ray source. The demo deliverable confirmed the system can take customer-provided cell samples and generate 3D images of their internal structure without slicing or staining.

Audience

Who needs this

Pharmaceutical companies with in-house cell biology and drug screening labsBiotech startups developing vaccines or studying infectious disease mechanismsUniversity and hospital core imaging facilities looking to add new capabilitiesContract research organisations (CROs) offering microscopy servicesGovernment and national health research institutes studying cancer or dementia

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Pharmaceutical & Drug Discovery

enterprise

Target: Mid-to-large pharma companies with internal cell biology labs

If you are a pharmaceutical company spending months waiting for synchrotron time to image how drug candidates affect cell structure — SiriusXT developed a lab-scale soft X-ray microscope (SXT-100) that gives you 3D whole-cell imaging on demand. Instead of queuing up to 12 months at one of only 4 facilities worldwide, your researchers can run imaging in-house, accelerating drug screening cycles and reducing dependency on external infrastructure.

Biotech & Vaccine Development

SME

Target: Biotech startups and vaccine developers working on infectious disease

If you are a biotech company researching virus-cell interactions for vaccines — including COVID-19 and similar pathogens — this project delivered a microscope that images whole intact cells in 3D without slicing or staining. That means you can see exactly how a virus changes cell structure, speeding up your understanding of disease transmission mechanisms and helping you target your vaccine design more precisely.

Contract Research & Core Imaging Facilities

any

Target: CROs and university core imaging labs offering microscopy services

If you run an imaging core facility or contract research organization and want to offer a service no competitor has — the SXT-100 opens a completely new imaging modality for your clients. With a target market of 3,000 organisations needing whole-cell 3D imaging, adding this capability lets you attract life science researchers who currently cannot access synchrotron-based soft X-ray microscopy due to the 12-month wait times.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does the SXT-100 microscope cost, and what is the pricing model?

Specific pricing is not disclosed in the available project data. However, given this is a commercial lab instrument targeting 3,000 potential organisations, expect capital equipment pricing typical of advanced microscopy systems. Contact SiriusXT directly via siriusxt.com for quotes.

Is this ready for purchase or still in development?

Based on the project data, SiriusXT has built a working commercial lab-scale microscope (SXT-100) and demonstrated it by imaging actual customer cell samples in 3D. The project was funded under SME Instrument Phase 2, which is specifically designed for commercialisation. The project closed in January 2023.

Who owns the intellectual property and how is it licensed?

SiriusXT holds the patents on the miniaturised soft X-ray source technology. As a single-partner SME project with 100% industry consortium, all IP sits with SiriusXT Limited in Ireland. Licensing terms would need to be discussed directly with the company.

Can this scale to high-throughput imaging for industrial drug screening?

The current SXT-100 is designed as a lab instrument for detailed 3D cell imaging. Based on available project data, throughput specifications are not disclosed, but the key value is on-demand access replacing the 12-month wait at synchrotrons. For throughput details, contact SiriusXT directly.

What diseases and research areas does this support?

The project data specifically mentions cancer research, dementia, drug discovery, coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine research. The technology applies broadly to any research requiring 3D imaging of whole intact cells to understand disease causation and transmission mechanisms.

How does this integrate with existing lab workflows and imaging pipelines?

The SXT-100 is designed as a standalone lab instrument — no synchrotron facility needed. Based on the demo deliverable, customers provide cell samples and the system generates 3D images. Integration with existing image analysis software would need to be confirmed with SiriusXT.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project: SiriusXT Limited, an Irish SME that is 100% industry with no university or research institute partners. That is typical for SME Instrument Phase 2 funding, which backs companies ready to commercialise — not consortia doing basic research. The fact that SiriusXT secured this competitive EU funding as a solo SME signals strong commercial viability and investor confidence in their patented technology. For a buyer, this means you are dealing directly with the technology owner and manufacturer, with no complex IP-sharing arrangements across multiple partners.

SIRIUSXT LIMITEDCoordinator · IE

How to reach the team

SiriusXT Limited is based in Ireland. Visit siriusxt.com for direct commercial enquiries about the SXT-100 microscope.

Order a report on this consortium See SIRIUSXT LIMITED profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to SiriusXT's team to discuss the SXT-100 for your lab? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting with the right person — contact us for a matchmaking consultation.

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