Funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research under the FISA programme.
FISA-funded research project · 2026-2031
IMPACT brings together optical innovation, cancer biology, clinical pathology and artificial intelligence to develop a new generation of high-resolution tissue imaging technologies.
€5.1M
project budget
60
months
4
core institutions
TRL6
target prototype
SPAD detector
7x7 array · 49 independent pixels
Project overview
IMPACT aims to transfer optical super-resolution microscopy from the laboratory toward diagnostic and preclinical applications in oncology and histopathology.
Conventional histopathology remains essential, but it can be time-consuming and dependent on complex staining and interpretation workflows. Existing technologies often require a compromise between speed, resolution and molecular information.
IMPACT aims to combine super-resolution microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging, automated tissue scanning and AI-assisted analysis in a single research platform.
Tissue sample
Multimodal optical acquisition
Super-resolution and lifetime information
AI-assisted interpretation
Actionable insights for research and pathology
Technology
FLIPSCAN is the main expected technological outcome of IMPACT: an automated optical microscopy platform designed to integrate spatial, temporal, metabolic and molecular information.
The project will develop FLIPSCAN toward a Technology Readiness Level 6 prototype, ready for preclinical validation and subsequent clinical validation activities.
Designed to move optical tissue imaging toward expected spatial resolution in the order of 100-140 nm.
Combines temporal and spatial information to study fluorescence lifetime signals in biological samples.
Explores autofluorescence signals from endogenous molecules such as NAD(P)H and FAD.
Automated navigation is planned to acquire tissue sections across different resolutions and fields of view.
Algorithms will support reconstruction, segmentation, tissue identification and augmented visualisation.
The platform will integrate one- and two-photon excitation, biomarkers and label-free imaging modes.
FLIPSCAN is being developed within IMPACT as a research prototype. It is not currently a certified medical device.
Scientific pillars
The research explores how complementary optical signals can create a richer view of tissue structure and function.
Visualising tissue structures and biomarkers at submicrometric scale to support advanced analysis.
Using fluorescence lifetime from endogenous molecules to study metabolic states in tissue samples.
Automated scanning of extended tissue areas with different resolution levels and acquisition strategies.
Image reconstruction, segmentation, tissue analysis and visualisations familiar to pathology workflows.
Research journey
IMPACT is structured as a progressive research path that links molecular biology, platform engineering, artificial intelligence and pathology expertise.
Identify molecular and metabolic signatures associated with tumour phenotypes.
Design and integrate the FLIPSCAN platform across optical, electronic, mechanical and software layers.
Create datasets and develop artificial intelligence algorithms for reconstruction and analysis.
Test workflows on biological and preclinical samples in collaboration with clinical partners.
Research outputs
Peer-reviewed articles, conference talks, posters and white papers produced within the IMPACT project.
Speaker A, on behalf of the IMPACT consortium
Conference name
Author A, Author B
Conference name, city
IMPACT consortium
Technical report
Author A, Author B, Author C
Journal name, volume(issue), pages
Potential impact
The project explores the potential of multidimensional optical imaging to support research and future pathology-oriented workflows without claiming clinical outcomes before validation.
Partner ecosystem
The consortium brings together industrial development, advanced microscopy, cancer biology and clinical pathology expertise.
Host Institution and technological lead
Innovative SME founded in 2019 as a startup from Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, leading FLIPSCAN development, integration, automation, AI and industrial valorisation.
Visit official website
Affiliation Institution and scientific partner
Contributes advanced microscopy, nanoscopy, comparison with state-of-the-art technologies and scientific coordination.
Visit official website
Research Organization
Contributes molecular biology, oncology, biomarker research, biomolecular condensates and validation of imaging protocols.
Visit official website
Clinical partner
Provides pathology expertise, oncological tissue samples, workflow validation and evaluation of applicability in histopathology.
Visit official websiteRoadmap
The roadmap presents planned milestones and target outcomes for the research project.
Month — of 60
April 2026 → March 2031 · elapsed project timeline
April 2026
Start of the IMPACT research project.
December 2026
Enable fluorescence lifetime imaging capabilities for all partners.
December 2027
Upgrade PRISM Addon to increase throughput.
December 2028
Identify biomarkers and PcG proteins with characteristics correlated to oncogenic phenotypes.
December 2029
Complete initial dataset acquisition and preliminary AI training.
December 2030
Complete assembly of the FLIPSCAN prototype at TRL5.
March 2031
Complete the project and reach the final TRL6 prototype target.
Funding
IMPACT is funded under the FISA programme of the Italian Ministry of University and Research and co-funded by Genoa Instruments.
News
Official communications, research updates and dissemination activities from the project.
Join the team
Join a multidisciplinary team working at the intersection of advanced microscopy, photonics, scientific software and biomedical artificial intelligence. Contribute to the development of next-generation imaging technologies within the IMPACT project.
Work on advanced optical systems, lasers, detectors and next-generation microscopy platforms.
Develop the software that controls, automates and connects our imaging systems.
Build image-processing and machine-learning tools for scientific and biomedical applications.
Tenders
As a publicly funded research project, IMPACT publishes here its calls for the procurement of goods, services and consultancy, in the interest of transparency and equal access.
Calls for the procurement of goods, services and consultancy will be published here. For information, contact impact@genoainstruments.com.
Discover the people, technologies and research activities behind IMPACT.
