The origin project LIFEGATE introduced the prospect of multimode fibre based holographic endoscope as a unique tool for high-resolution in-vivo imaging of structures residing deep inside the brain of animal models. It harnesses the power of controlled light transport through hair-thin MMFs to image and measure brain functions at single cell and sub-cellular level in virtually any brain structure, at unlimited depth and in uniquely atraumatic manner, thereby unlocking a variety of opportunities when answering urgent bio-medical questions. The proposed ERC-PoC project StrokeGATE aims to utilise achievements of the origin project to introduce a novel, complete technological platform for investigating the impact of deep-brain stroke in living animal models. The geometry of the most advanced holographic endoscope currently built will be modified to allow induction of stroke of controlled magnitude, representing a powerful extension of the instrument’s applicability from the perspective of the users in neuroscience. Already available imaging capacity of the instrument will facilitate its navigation into the desired brain structure and, once the stroke is induced, monitoring changes to structural connectivity of the neurones within a circuit as well as development / suppression of signalling activity. LIFEGATE has already established a solid pathway to commercialisation through a start-up endeavour. Although intellectual property is expected to be generated during the execution of StrokeGATE, its main translational value lies in demonstrating the utility of MMF endoscopes across the relevant community of researchers who by now had only limited chances to fully appreciate the potential of such radically new and disruptive technological arrival. Successful accomplishment of StrokeGATE will unlock the exploitability of holographic endoscopy across a wider topical range of biomedical research, and reduce its translational barriers.

Neurological disorders have emerged as a significant global societal burden, exemplified by afflictions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, impacting over one billion individuals globally and surpassing the combined economic burden of cancer and diabetes. This has spurred a concerted global effort, with increased support for neuroscience research. These disorders often target deep brain regions and profoundly influence the structural connectivity of neuronal cells within functional circuits. Synapses, where neurons exchange information, exhibit plasticity, altering information transmission efficiency, shape, and position. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these structural changes, especially in neuronal circuits, remains limited in both healthy and affected individuals. The ERC PoC project STEDGate seeks to advance our understanding of neuronal connectivity and plasticity by developing STED-enabled holographic endo-nanoscopy for neuroscience. This ground-breaking technology promises atraumatic nanoscale in-vivo imaging of deep brain structures reaching depths up to 5 mm beneath the brain's surface. Collaborating with the start-up endeavour DeepEn, the team aims to facilitate the commercial transition of this technology. Making deep-tisue nanoscopy available globally will revolutionize our ability to monitor and understand neurological disorders and, ultimately, offer new avenues for intervention and treatment..

We observe the world around us predominantly through the measurement of optical intensity. Although powerful, this leaves the other fundamental optical degrees of freedom, phase and polarisation massively under-utilized. Our tendency to solely use intensity results from the static sensor technology that is available, which offer very limited ability to dynamically reconfigure their function or perform any optical processing. In Super-Pixels we will co-develop a new integrated sensor platform that will revolutionize the way we process light to allow the full utilization of its fundamental properties. Redefining the core functionality of our sensor technology will radically impact the technology that is deployed in a broad spectrum of cross-disciplinary areas such as nano-particle detection, compact atmospheric corrected imaging systems, endoscopy, coherent communications and on-chip processing of structured light. This vision will be enabled by a compact and multi-functional photonic integrated chip that would be installed into phones, microscopes, cameras, communication and environmental monitoring systems, becoming central part of the way we collect and process optical information. In Super-pixels, we will create such an integrated photonics device that is based on a mesh of several hundred Mach-Zehnder interferometers, which will be used to dynamically map phase and polarization, with the ability to fully transform any optical field incident. A revolutionary prototype system will be delivered that will partner our Super-Pixels chip with a commercially available camera to enhance its functionality within a single frame of a camera. This prototype will support a number of potential applications that include visualising normally invisible nano-particles through phase mapping, imaging through multimode optical fibres, reconfigurable quantum communication links and mapping of airflow and particulates through phase and polarisation retrieval.

Utilising a hair-thin multimode optical fibre, the holographic endoscope allows minimally invasive, high-resolution in-vivo imaging at subcellular levels across any brain structure. The NEUROGATE project will significantly enhance the potential of this breakthrough technology for biomedical imaging by commercialising critical innovations in holographic endoscopy, developed through the prior ERC-PoC projects WOKEGATE and StrokeGATE. The innovations include bending-resilient fibres and brain interfaces, enabling chronic studies, minimising tissue damage and providing flexibility in reconnecting with the region of interest. They make holographic endoscopy the breakthrough technology which enables chronic in-vivo imaging of neuronal signalling and structural connectivity in deep brain regions of freely moving animal models, overcoming several limitations of current technologies. NEUROGATE brings together three academic partners and a commercial venture to validate the system under real-world conditions and achieve TRL6, spinning out the new technology across biomedical research sector, where its potential market exceeds €850 million. This novel tool aims to transform neuroscience by enabling chronic in-vivo monitoring of vitally important brain processes at the microscopic level in both healthy and diseased states, with broad applications in research and medicine.