A European research team from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Belgium is at the forefront of a groundbreaking project titled NEUROGATE, developing an innovative imaging technology that is set to transform neuroscience. Funded by the European Innovation Council with €2.5 million, this project focuses on a holographic endoscope that harnesses the power of a multimode optical fiber thinner than a human hair to visualize neuronal processes deep within living brains at subcellular resolution.

The device represents a major technological leap by allowing minimally invasive, long-term imaging of neuronal circuits even in freely moving organisms. This is achieved by inserting the ultra-thin fiber into the brain, enabling researchers to observe dynamic neuronal activities under natural conditions without disturbing normal brain functions. This approach could offer significant breakthroughs in understanding the complexities of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, and the brain’s response to strokes. By facilitating detailed, in-vivo observations, NEUROGATE has the potential to revolutionize the way neuroscientists study brain function and pathology.

Prof. Dr. Tomáš Čižmár, a distinguished researcher at the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz IPHT) and professor at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, is a key figure behind the project. His work on holographic endoscopes, initiated in 2017 at both Leibniz IPHT and the Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences, has already earned him notable accolades, including the Czech Minister of Education’s Prize and the European Microscopy Society’s Life Sciences award. According to Prof. Čižmár, NEUROGATE is a turning point in neuroscience, as it allows scientists to study neuronal activity in previously inaccessible regions of the brain with an unprecedented level of detail.

Central to the commercialization of this technology is the start-up DeepEn, based in Jena. Originating from Prof. Čižmár’s research team, DeepEn was spun off in 2024 and has already garnered recognition by winning the special prize for young companies at the Thuringian Innovation Award. Dr. Sergey Turtaev, CEO of DeepEn, emphasizes that the start-up’s mission is to transform scientific innovation into practical applications that can revolutionize biomedical research. The collaboration between academic research and start-up entrepreneurship is a model example of successful technology transfer, aimed at developing marketable solutions that address pressing biomedical challenges.

The international consortium behind NEUROGATE also includes the Institute of Scientific Instruments in Brno and Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders in Belgium, along with support from partners like imec, the life sciences institute VIB, and KU Leuven. This diverse collaboration underscores the project’s interdisciplinary approach, merging photonics, neurotechnology, and clinical research. As NEUROGATE moves toward Technology Readiness Level 6, the validation of its technology under realistic conditions paves the way for its eventual clinical adoption. With a projected market value exceeding €850 million, the holographic endoscope stands poised to reshape diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders, marking a significant milestone in both neuroscience and biomedical innovation.

In conclusion, NEUROGATE signifies a transformative leap in neuroscience research, merging academic excellence with entrepreneurial vision to unlock unprecedented insights into brain function and advance treatments for neurological disorders across Europe globally.

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