Computational imaging technologies that take advantage of artificial intelligence are one of the driving forces of innovation in many sectors. Specifically, there is a growing interest in developing effective techniques for capturing and processing 3D cellular images, a process that, although innovative, is obtained in a complex and unstable manner, using costly instruments that require prior cellular treatment and may damage the imaged cells.
The tool to be developed by the new spin-off provides an agile and robust solution to the problem of cellular morphological imaging, as it overcomes the drawbacks of previous techniques. "Unlike existing technologies, this one does not require cellular staining, which allows us to work with living cells without damaging them", explains Manuel Martínez Corral, professor of Optics at the University of Valencia (UV) and promoter of the spin-off along with Genaro Saavedra Tortosa, also a professor of Optics at the UV. "In addition, it allows 3D and 4D analysis, that is, in real time, to monitor living cells. The technique is affordable, flexible in its implementation and stable, so there is no need for specific temperature conditions or anti-vibration systems to ensure robust behaviour", adds the scientist. The final device will take up little space, which will make it easy to transport, and is expected to be applied in point-of-care testing, opening the door to in situ diagnosis of diseases that induce morphological changes at the cellular level, such as malaria or cancer.
Through the agreements signed on Monday 29 April, WF Imaging Technologies is constituted as a limited liability company and the University of Valencia licenses to the spin-off, for its exploitation worldwide, a patent owned by it and resulting from the research activity of the 3D Imaging & Display Laboratory , directed by M. Martínez Corral and G. Saavedra Tortosa in the Department of Optics, Optometry and Vision Sciences of the UV.
The new spin-off has the researchers themselves and the University of Valencia among its several partners and has the support and investment of the NLC Health Ventures fund. Wilson Gomes, an executive with experience as a manager in multinational companies in the diagnostics and medical devices sector, will serve as CEO of the company.
