The application of single photon array cameras for high speed life science imaging.
Lead Research Organisation:
Heriot-Watt University
Department Name: Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Abstract
This is a PhD research project in Physics, but at the interface with the life sciences. The project will apply existing single photon imaging arrays for application throughout life science imaging, particularly for the study of high speed, low photon, dynamic process within the cell. The research will align to our existing TPhoton project on developing new camera technology, but translate this technology into new application for the life sciences. The project will investigate optimisation of: 1) the camera technology, through cooling, control and optical coupling. 2) Life science application, through the study of the optimal system to take advantage of the camera properties and 3) Data analysis, through the development of new algorithms to interpret the
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509474/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1963630 | Studentship | EP/N509474/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 | Andrew Green |
| EP/R513040/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2023 | |||
| 1963630 | Studentship | EP/R513040/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 | Andrew Green |
| Description | Dr Istvan Gyongy |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | Scottish Microelectronics Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Through rigorous calibrations of the SPAD array camera, "SPCImager". I was able to confirm the parameters that were required to perform ratiometric FLIM using SPCImager. Having mapped these parameters, I was able to produce a computational model that simulated a FLIM experiment with all the desired parameters set. This led to a conference proceedings paper "Fluorescence lifetime imaging of high-speed particles with single-photon image sensors". |
| Collaborator Contribution | Istvan Gyongy supplied support and the software to allow me to operate the SPAD camera "SPCImager". This support has resulted in troubleshooting some software issues that in turn led us to the conference proceedings stated above. |
| Impact | As a result of this partnership, two conference proceedings papers have been published. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Prof Robert Henderson |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | Scottish Microelectronics Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Using their technology, SPCImager, a greater level of characterisation and understanding of the technology has been explored. This has led to a computational model, modelling the parameters required to perform ratiometric FLIM. Two conference proceedings have resulted from this partnership and many outreach events have displayed some of the camera's capabilities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The use of one of their SPAD arrays, SPCImager and the software and firmware support. |
| Impact | Two conference proceedings have resulted from this partnership and many outreach events have displayed some of the camera's capabilities. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Festival of Physics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | As part of the IOP's Festival of Physics in 2017, there was a 2-day event held in George Watson's College in Edinburgh late 2017. As part of this event, we took along some microscopes and SPCImager to demonstrate an interdisciplinary side to physics. Here I demonstrated the camera's fast frame rate by make slow motion videos for the general public. The audience had a great range in age as well as knowledge about the technology, however almost all managed to take away something new from the demonstration. Overall SPCImager was met with great curiosity and the audience members had loads of creative and interesting questions to ask about its operation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Science Festival Edinburgh - Heriot Watt Family Fun Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Edinburgh Science Festival held an open day at heriot watt university where IB3 (Institute of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Bioengineering) hosted a workshop demonstrating a range of areas of research that the institute is involved in. This event was held for the general public, where we talked through and held small demonstrations of our work. The audience ranged from young children to adults with a varying knowledge of the subject areas that were being displayed. As well as the workshop, we also hosted a small microscope stand where the public could image a range of different samples (plants, insects and the like). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |