MAFIn · Project

Add-On Module That Makes Microscopes See Biological Samples in 3D at High Speed

healthPrototypeTRL 4Thin data (2/5)

Imagine trying to film a fast-moving fish inside a murky aquarium — the water distorts everything and the fish never holds still. That's basically the problem biologists face when watching living cells under a microscope. MAFIn built a clip-on upgrade for a special type of microscope that corrects those distortions automatically and captures sharp 3D images at roughly 100 volumes per second. The goal is a plug-and-play box that any lab technician — not just optics experts — can attach to their existing microscope.

By the numbers

~100 volumes/sec

3D imaging speed achieved by combining LSFM with wavefront coding

EUR 100,000

Total EU contribution for prototype development

Research partner in consortium (ICFO, Spain)

Total project deliverables

The business problem

What needed solving

Biologists studying living cells need to capture sharp 3D images at very high speeds, but existing light sheet microscopes suffer from optical distortions caused by the instrument and the biological sample itself. Current solutions either require deep optics expertise to operate or cannot deliver both speed and image quality simultaneously, limiting what researchers and pharma companies can observe in real time.

The solution

What was built

The project built a first basic and compact breadboard prototype of a universal add-on module for light sheet fluorescence microscopes. This module combines wavefront coding for fast volumetric imaging (approaching 100 volumes/sec) with adaptive optics for automatic aberration correction, designed to be operable by non-experts.

Audience

Who needs this

Light sheet fluorescence microscope manufacturers looking to add premium imaging capabilitiesPharmaceutical companies with high-content screening and live cell imaging needsContract research organizations offering advanced biological imaging servicesNeuroscience research labs studying fast cellular dynamics in 3DBiotech startups developing organ-on-chip or 3D tissue models requiring real-time imaging

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Life Science Microscopy Equipment

mid-size

Target: Manufacturers of light sheet fluorescence microscopes

If you are a microscope manufacturer struggling to differentiate your product in the competitive LSFM market — this project developed a modular add-on that brings adaptive optics aberration correction and fast 3D imaging (approaching 100 volumes/sec) to any existing light sheet microscope. Integrating this module could turn your standard system into a premium product without a full redesign. The module was designed to be universal and operable by non-experts.

Pharmaceutical R&D

enterprise

Target: Drug discovery companies with cell biology imaging labs

If you are a pharma company that needs to observe fast cellular dynamics in 3D — for example tracking how drug candidates affect live cells in real time — this module upgrades your existing light sheet microscope to capture high-resolution volumetric data at speeds approaching 100 volumes per second. That means you can study rapid intracellular processes without motion blur or sample-induced distortions. The prototype was built to work with both commercial and custom setups.

Biotech & Contract Research

SME

Target: Contract research organizations (CROs) offering imaging services

If you are a CRO offering advanced imaging services and your clients demand faster, sharper 3D imaging of biological samples — this project created a breadboard prototype of a universal module that bolts onto light sheet fluorescence microscopes. It automatically corrects optical aberrations introduced by both the system and the sample itself. Adding this capability could let you serve neuroscience and developmental biology clients who need to watch fast dynamics in living tissue.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would this module cost to integrate into our existing microscope?

The entire EU contribution for building the first prototype was EUR 100,000, covering R&D and construction on a breadboard. Commercial pricing is not yet established. Expect significant additional engineering before a market-ready price can be quoted.

Can this scale to commercial production volumes?

Based on available project data, the module is currently at breadboard prototype stage — a first basic and compact unit built by a single research institute. No manufacturing partners or production plans are documented. Scaling to commercial production would require industrial engineering partners and further development.

What is the IP situation — can we license this technology?

The project was coordinated solely by Fundació Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO) in Spain. IP likely resides with ICFO. Any licensing arrangement would need to be negotiated directly with them. The technology builds on prior work from the FET Open project MESOBRAIN.

How does this compare to existing adaptive optics solutions for microscopy?

The MAFIn module combines two capabilities in one package: wavefront coding for fast volumetric imaging (approaching 100 volumes/sec) and adaptive optics for aberration correction. The key differentiator claimed is universality — it is designed to attach to any existing light sheet fluorescence microscope, commercial or custom-built.

Is this ready to use in our lab today?

No. The project delivered a first basic and compact prototype on a breadboard. This is a proof-of-concept demonstrator, not a turnkey product. The project closed in November 2020, and based on available data, no commercial version has been announced.

What biological applications has this actually been tested on?

The objective mentions observing fast cellular and intracellular dynamics in biological samples in 3D. However, the deliverable descriptions only confirm construction of the first prototype. Based on available project data, specific biological validation results are not documented in the public record.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-partner project run entirely by ICFO (Fundació Institut de Ciències Fotòniques) in Spain, a well-known photonics research institute. With zero industrial partners, zero SMEs, and a modest EUR 100,000 budget under a Coordination and Support Action, this was clearly an early-stage effort to move lab research toward a usable prototype. For a business considering this technology, the absence of any commercial or manufacturing partner means you would be engaging directly with a research lab — expect academic timelines and the need to bring your own engineering and productization capabilities.

FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUESCoordinator · ES

How to reach the team

Fundació Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO), Barcelona, Spain — contact via their technology transfer office

Order a report on this consortium See FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUES profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing or co-development of this adaptive optics module? SciTransfer can connect you with the ICFO team and help structure the conversation.

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