Academic Centre
Project title: Whole-body Dermoscopic Imaging in the Visible and Infrared Spectral Ranges
Contract number: LU-BA-PA-2024/1-0006
Project implementer: University of Latvia
Project leader: Prof. Jānis Spīgulis
Implementation time: 18 months: 01.09.2024-28.02.2026
Total cost: 199 994 EUR; incl. Recovery facility funding: 194 649.59 EUR and State budget funding: 5 344.41 EUR
Objective: To improve healthcare of dermatology patients using advanced biophotonic methods and devices
Work plan:
- WP1. Design and assembling of the near-infrared illumination and imaging system
- WP2. Software development for combined visible and NIR whole-body multispectral imaging
- WP3. Clinical validation of the multispectral whole-body imaging in visible and NIR spectral ranges
- WP4. Project management, dissemination, and technology transfer activities
Project Summary: This project aims at developing an advanced diagnostic methodology for fast grouping of whole-body detected skin malformations and identifying of dermal-invaded malignancies, including skin melanomas. The proposed method is based on combining the triple spectral line whole-body imaging at the visible spectral range with parallel imaging within a near-infrared (NIR) spectral band. A prototype equipment for such combined imaging will be developed and clinically validated, with subsequent elaboration of a diagnostic protocol for clinical implementation. The three visible spectral line images allow detecting all patient’s skin lesions sized >1 mm and mapping the content changes of the main skin chromophores at each of them, with their further sorting into appropriate pathology groups. Thanks to deeper light penetration into skin, the NIR band images taken in parallel allow immediate detection of the malignant skin malformations which invade the dermal layer of skin. The project activities are structured in four work packages; the main results will be published in 3 Scopus-level journal papers and presented in 1 local and 2 international conferences
Project title: Design of pyridinium luminophore structural and optical properties for tailored sensor response
Contract number: LU-BA-PA-2024/1-0040
Project implementer: University of Latvia
Project leader: Dr. Roman Viter
Implementation time: 18 months: 01.09.2024.-28.02.2026.
Total cost: 181 403 EUR; incl. Recovery facility funding: 176 068.31 EUR and State budget funding: 5334.69 EUR
Objective:The proposed project has two main goals: research and consolidation. Research goal of the project is the design of a pyridinium luminophore structure for application in optical gas sensors. Specific scientific goals are focused to the flowing: to design structure, optical, and sensitive properties of pyridinium luminophores by theoretical calculations to fabricate pyridinium luminophores from solution with fixed concentration and different drying rates to investigate the chemical, structure, and optical properties of the fabricated pyridinium luminophores to investigate optical stability and sensor properties towards saturated vapours of model molecules to analyse the correlation between theoretical and experimental results. Consolidation goal is to develop interdisciplinary research environment between Faculty of Chemistry, Faculty of Physics and Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy for productive research, education, knowledge transfer and commercialisation in the field of organic and inorganic luminophores, composite materials, optical gas and chemical sensors. Consolidation goals involve: - knowledge transfer to education via invited lectures, lab demonstrations, and joint seminars; -co-supervision and training of BSc, MSc, and PhD students -new knowledge transferable skills in material synthesis, characterization, sensor design, sensor analysis, -interaction with potential end-users; -development of leadership of the research staff and students
Work plan:
- WP1. Design and theoretical modelling of fundamental properties of pyridinium luminophores
- WP2. Synthesis and characterisation of fundamental properties of pyridinium luminophores
- WP3. Project management and dissemination of results
Project Summary:This project is focused on the design of a pyridinium luminophore structure for application in optical gas sensors. The pyridinium luminophore 1-(2-(3,6-dimethyl-9H-carbazol-9-yl)benzyl)pyridin-1-ium methanesulfonate will be obtained from commercially available carbazole, bromobenzoic acid and pyridine. The crystal structure of the luminophore has a significant impact on the optical properties, therefore extra attention will be focused on the crystallization and solvent evaporation steps. The chemical and crystal structure influence on the optical properties will be studied by NMR, LC-MS, XRD, DSC, FTIR, Raman, SEM/TEM, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) in the range of 300-800 nm methods. Chemical purity, crystallinity, grain size distribution, absorption bands, absorption peaks, emission peaks and dependence of the PL intensity vs excitation power will be determined. PL spectra will be obtained in a range of temperatures 77-400 K to study activation energies of PL quenching and phonon-electron interaction. Interactions with saturated vapours of model molecules (H2O, HN3 and CH3COOH) and adsorption/desorption kinetics of the luminophores will be studied by PL spectroscopy. The experimental properties of the luminophore will be compared with the properties calculated by DFT methods. The role of each component of the luminophores (pyridinium complex and counter ion) to sensor response towards model molecules and temperature will be revealed
Project title: High throughput Laser speckle imaging to speed up experiments in microbiology
Contract number: LU-BA-PA-2024/1-0072
Project implementer: University of Latvia
Project leader: Dr. Ilze Ļihačova
Implementation time: 18 months: 01.09.2024-28.02.2026
Total cost: 200 000 EUR; incl. Recovery facility funding: 194 793.39 EUR and State budget funding: 5 206.61 EUR
Objective: The project aims to develop and experimentally validate a non-contact label free optical technique for the early high-throughput assessment of microbial growth activity in solid media, utilising the physical phenomenon of variable laser speckle analysed through temporal image sequence processing. This evaluation process involves acquiring time-variable laser speckle patterns in multiwell plates and processing the obtained image sequences
Work plan:
- WP1. High throughput Laser Speckle Imaging system design and validation in controlled laboratory conditions
- WP2. System validation and case studies
- WP3. Data management, publicity, dissemination and preparation of new project proposals
Project Summary:
The project aims to develop and experimentally validate a non-contact label free optical technique for the early high-throughput assessment of microbial growth activity in solid media, utilising the physical phenomenon of variable laser speckle analysed through temporal image sequence processing. This evaluation process involves acquiring time-variable laser speckle patterns in multiwell plates and processing the obtained image sequences. The proposed laser speckle technique will be tailored for high-throughput applications in microbiology experiments to expedite discovery and uncover new aspects of microbial colonies. Throughout the project, the proposed technique and image processing algorithms will undergo testing in controlled microbiological conditions and validation using various bacterial and yeast strains. The project team will comprise experienced experts in microbiology, biophotonics, electronics, and information technology, alongside young scientists and students from the University of Latvia
Project title: Laika izšķirtspējas spektroskopijas pielietojumi bioloģisko audu un materiālu pētījumos
Contract number: LU-BA-ZG-2024/1-0031
Project implementer: University of Latvia
Project leader: Dr. Vanesa Lukinsone
Scientific advisor: Prof. Jānis Spīgulis
Implementation time: 12 months: 01.09.2024-31.08.2025
Project title: Development of optoplasmonic doped whispering gallery mode resonator
Contract number: LU-BA-ZG-2024/1-0009
Project implementer: University of Latvia
Project leader: Dr. Inga Brice
Scientific advisor: Asoc. Prof. Jānis Alnis
Implementation time: 12 months: 01.09.2024-31.08.2025
Total cost: 61 380 EUR
Objective: The project research objective is to obtain and disseminate new knowledge on surface-functionalised optoplasmonic doped WGM resonators for hybrid active/passive application systems
Expected results:
- original scientific articles submitted or accepted for publication in the journals or conference proceedings included in Web of Science Core Collection or SCOPUS databases; at least 1 high impact Q1/Q2 journal paper,
- participation in 2 international conferences with project results; priority for international conferences organised by IEEE/ Optica / SPIE organisations,
- at least 1 project proposal submitted in an international or national call for research and development projects
Project Summary: Among different types of photonic sensor devices, whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators have attracted interest due to their various potential passive and active applications. By choosing an appropriate material with very low absorption, and fabricating a very smooth surface, they can reach ultra-high-quality factors. Additionally, the surface of the WGM resonator can be functionalized with nanoparticles or nanomaterial layers, which can enhance optical properties. During the project, advanced coating combining doping WGM resonator for an active operation of the cavity together with functionalization with optoplasmonic particles for passive enhancement of the sensitivity will be explored to manufacture a hybrid active/passive system
Project title: Noninvasive visualization of immune cells in the upper dermal microvasculature for diagnosis of severe inflammatory conditions
Contract number: LU-BA-ZG-2024/1-0022
Project implementer: University of Latvia
Project leader: Dr. Inga Saknīte
Scientific advisor: Prof. Jānis Spīgulis
Implementation time: 12 months 01.09.2024-31.08.2025