Two new open-source instruments are set to make fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy—or FLIM—quicker, less complicated and extra accessible. Developed by Ph.D. pupil Sofia Kapsiani in Professor Gabi Kaminski Schierle’s Molecular Neuroscience Group, the instruments deal with long-standing technical and sensible boundaries in biomedical imaging.
Taking a two-pronged strategy, Kapsiani has created FLIMPA, a robust phasor evaluation software program, and FLIMngo, a deep studying mannequin that slashes knowledge acquisition time. Collectively, they goal to beat frequent limitations in FLIM—from gradual imaging speeds to expensive, closed-source software program—to assist researchers apply the approach extra flexibly in stay imaging and well being care analysis.
Launched simply weeks aside, the 2 papers mark a big advance in stay imaging analysis.
The newest, printed within the Journal of the American Chemical Society and titled “Deep studying for fluorescence lifetime predictions permits high-throughput in vivo imaging,” introduces FLIMngo.
FLIMngo is a deep studying mannequin that is ready to slash the time wanted to gather FLIM knowledge. Skilled to work with extraordinarily low photon counts, FLIMngo can analyze in vivo photographs in just some seconds, with out sacrificing accuracy.
That not solely makes FLIM quicker, but additionally reduces gentle publicity and phototoxicity—essential when working with stay samples. Kapsiani demonstrated its potential by monitoring disease-related protein aggregates in C. elegans all through their pure lifespan, with out the necessity for anesthesia. The mannequin is open supply and able to use throughout imaging methods.
“FLIM has a lot potential for stay imaging, however it’s been held again by sensible limitations,” stated Kapsiani. “With these instruments, we’re making an attempt to take away these boundaries and make FLIM a extra versatile possibility for a wider vary of researchers.”
The sooner paper, printed in Analytical Chemistry and titled “FLIMPA: A flexible software program for fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy phasor evaluation,” launched FLIMPA.
It’s a standalone instrument for phasor evaluation, an more and more standard methodology for decoding FLIM knowledge. Not like business software program, FLIMPA is free, open supply and appropriate with a spread of file varieties. It brings collectively superior visualization options with an intuitive interface, permitting researchers to match a number of samples and zoom in on particular molecular behaviors.
In an illustration of its versatility, Kapsiani used FLIMPA to develop a brand new cell-based assay that quantifies microtubule depolymerization—a key mechanism in anti-cancer drug analysis—by monitoring adjustments within the fluorescence lifetime of SiR-tubulin.
“These are glorious examples of what may be achieved when deep technical perception meets creativity and curiosity,” stated Professor Kaminski Schierle. “Sofia’s work helps to push FLIM from a distinct segment instrument to one thing rather more accessible and scalable.”
Extra data:
Sofia Kapsiani et al, Deep Studying for Fluorescence Lifetime Predictions Allows Excessive-Throughput In Vivo Imaging, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2025). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c03749
Sofia Kapsiani et al, FLIMPA: A Versatile Software program for Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy Phasor Evaluation, Analytical Chemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c00495
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AI and open-source software program promise quicker, simpler biomedical imaging (2025, July 9)
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