QEED - research project for biomarker detection with quantum light

The project name QEED (Quantum Enhanced Early Diagnostics) stands for "Quantum light for new imaging for early and differentiated detection of biomarkers in personalized medicine".

An important challenge in clinical cancer diagnostics is the need for rapid analysis of tissue sections. The project aims to transfer measurement information from the clinically relevant mid-infrared (MIR) to the near-infrared (NIR) by developing a novel imaging technique. By developing a microscopy methodology that enables studies of tissue samples without staining (label-free) and reduces the measurement time of a 10MP image to two minutes, sample throughput could be significantly increased, according to the research project. This would allow the examination of label-free tissue samples to be directly integrated into clinical workflows for the first time.

"There is a lot of innovative power in the field of quantum-based measurement technology. With our participation in the project, we want to contribute to making sample analysis in cancer diagnostics much more effective," says Julian Perlitz, project manager at Sill Optics.

Sill Optics is already present in optical quantum technologies with its trapped ion lenses, and its contribution to QEED marks another significant step into the field of quantum-based metrology. In the QEED research project, Sill Optics contributes to the project success by developing and producing the scanner module consisting of a mirror scanner and adapted microscope objectives.

The project is part of the funding measure "Lighthouse Projects in Quantum-Based Measurement Technology" of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). In it, two clinical institutes, three research institutes and five industrial partners combine their know-how. QEED has a project duration until December 31, 2027, with a project volume of 11.9 million euros. Further information on this project can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research at https://www.quantentechnologien.de/forschung/foerderung/leuchtturmprojekte-der-quantenbasierten-messtechnik/qeed.html.