The University of Valencia has just recognized WF Imaging Technologies as a spin-off company. The new firm will develop a computational microscope that uses artificial intelligence to obtain more accurate biomedical cellular images, through a non-invasive, stable, affordable, easy to use and transportable technology. The system, which will make it possible to work with live cells, opens the door to in situ diagnosis of a wide range of diseases, such as diabetes, malaria and cancer
Computational imaging technologies that take advantage of artificial intelligence are one of the drivers of innovation in many sectors. In particular, there is a growing interest in developing effective techniques for the capture and processing of 3D cellular images, a process that, although innovative, is obtained in a complex and unstable manner, using high-cost instruments that require prior cell treatment and can damage the imaged cells.
The tool to be developed by the new spin-off provides an agile and robust solution to the problem of cell morphological imaging, since it overcomes the drawbacks of previous techniques. "Unlike the technologies already in place, this one does not require cell staining, which makes it possible to work with live cells without damaging them," explains Manuel Martínez Corral, professor of Optics at the University of Valencia (UV) and promoter of the spin-off together with Genaro Saavedra Tortosa, also professor of Optics at the UV. "In addition, it allows 3D and 4D analysis, in real time, to monitor living cells. We are talking about an affordable technique, flexible in its implementation and stable, so that no specific temperature conditions or anti-vibration systems are needed to ensure robust behavior," adds the scientist. The final device will take up little space, which will facilitate its transport, and is expected to be applied at Point Of Care, opening the door to in situ diagnosis of diseases that induce morphological changes at the cellular level, such as malaria or cancer.
“Unlike the technologies already in place, this one does not require cell staining, which makes it possible to work with live cells without damaging them”, Manuel Martínez Corral, impulsor de la spin-off
By means of the agreements closed this Monday, April 29th, WF Imaging Technologies is constituted as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), and the University of Valencia licenses to the spin-off, for its exploitation in worldwide territory, a patent of its ownership and result of 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 as partners the researchers themselves and the University of Valencia, among others, and has the support and investment of the NLC Health Ventures fund. Wilson Gomes, an executive with managerial experience in multinational companies in the diagnostics and medical devices sector, will occupy the position of CEO of the company.
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