The multimodal INTELINANO prototype nanoscope, offering complex advantages for imaging the
structure and chemistry of biological samples and advanced materials, developed in the project,
represents a valuable resource for both life and materials scientists. It allows cells biologists to probe
important cell processes via diverse contrast mechanisms complementary to fluorescence, the main
workhorse in cell biology, overcoming intrinsic limitations related to fluorescence labeling.
It allows
materials scientists to probe and resolve important nanomaterial-cell interactions, such as internalization
routes, therapeutic mode of action, unwanted effects, etc. The open-architecture of the INTELINANO
prototype is also a highly useful result for optical & photonic engineers, given that it allows easy scaling
up with additional workmodes, relying on a highly flexible architecture, and being comprised of optical
and opto-mechatronic components that can be easily repurposed, to test new ideas and implement
potential novel workmodes. Furthermore, the project activities contributed to the development of novel
(mainly cancer focused) theranostic nanomaterials, and to new body of knowledge related to
nanomaterials – cells interactions. This will be of great benefit to stakeholders in nanomedicine, but also
the the consortium partners, who will continue collaborative work on this topic, in partnership with teams
at the forefront of nanobiomaterials.
