The Leibniz Institute of Neurobiology (LIN) in Magdeburg is a leading research organization in the field of neuroscience, with expertise in the areas of learning and memory research. The institute has recently established an innovative new core facility for combinational neuroimaging. In Summer 2022, the holographic endoscopy group from Leibniz-IPHT (including the entire DeepEn start-up team) visited scientists in their laboratories at LIN for the first time to explore potential collaboration opportunities in the field of neurophotonics.

The goal of the collaboration is simple: neuroscientists can use the hair-thin holographic endoscope technology provided by neurophotonics experts from IPHT, ISI-CAS in Brno and DeepEn, to image deep brain regions with high resolution, thereby advancing our understanding of neural biology. In turn, the DeepEn, IPHT, and ISI-CAS colleagues can learn about the requirements and interests of the neuroscientist users, allowing them to enhance the endoscope technology into more valuable imaging tools that are reliable and easy to use. The interdisciplinary input will also guide future research and development efforts of the holographic endoscopy groups, enabling novel imaging techniques through one single multimode fibre probe.

The collaboration between LIN, IPHT, ISI-CAS and DeepEn has the potential to be highly productive. The institute in Magdeburg has a culture of innovation and a curiosity to try novel approaches, as demonstrated by the advanced combinational in-vivo imaging techniques utilized in its labs. These neurophotonics techniques allow researchers for example to explore learning and disease-related changes in cellular and synaptic signalling in neural networks. Interestingly, LIN has in recent years produced its own photonics spin-off start-up, Photonscore, which has successfully translated high-performing single photon counting cameras for Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM).

The compact hair-thin endoscopic imaging system developed by DeepEn neurophotonics experts has the potential to be a valuable tool for neuroscience researchers, as it enables imaging of subcortical structures while preserving the brain’s natural functions, addressing a limitation of other in-vivo microscopy methods. The collaboration, therefore, offers great potential for all participants. It presents a unique opportunity to test the compact endoscope of DeepEn under real conditions and with real users, allowing for the evaluation of the system’s performance and potential applications in various research contexts.

We, the DeepEn team, are excited to see this collaboration of strong partners intensify in the future, and we are sure that the results will be fantastic!

DeepEn won in the second stage of the Science4Life Startup Competition!

Science4Life events have been catering to deep tech startups with a strong research and development background for over 25 years. These events are known for their high level of quality and professionalism.

The Academy Days, organized as part of the Science4Life Start-up Competition, have provided us with an excellent platform to showcase our vision and receive valuable support to develop our start-up further. The program was designed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop and grow their companies successfully. During the 2-day event, our colleagues, Sergey and Patrick, received personal coaching and attended hands-on seminars on essential topics such as patents, taxes/legal, and financing.

DeepEn’s technology, is a hair-thin endoscope based on a single optical fibre that can be applied in neuroscience and medical research. The technological approach has been developed and refined at Leibniz-IPHT in Jena (Germany) and ISI-CAS in Brno (Czechia) in recent years. We strongly believe that by making this technology available to a wider range of users, DeepEn can help combat neurodegenerative diseases by allowing researchers to study the living brain at a cellular and sub-cellular level.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are becoming increasingly common as the population ages. We believe that the hair thin imaging tools have the potential to make a significant contribution to the fight against these diseases, allowing researchers to image the deepest brain regions with high resolution and minimally invasively.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the third and final phase of the Science4Life competition, the business plan phase, scheduled for late April 2023. We believe that the skills and knowledge that we have gained from participating in the previous stages of the competition will help us to develop a strong business plan that can take our startup to the next level and perhaps lead us to the Science4Life Start-up competition winner.

Last week, DeepEn Business Specialist Patrick Westermann spent a full week in Japan, visiting the life science clusters around Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. Though DeepEn is still in the pre-seed phase, housed in the facilities of Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, we are already thinking globally. The leading position of Japan in the fields of Neuroscience, Photonics, and Medical Innovation makes it one of our first focus markets outside of Europe. In international comparison, Japan stands out due to its distinctive research culture and innovation-friendly environment. The Japanese life science industry offers foreign entrepreneurs and researchers numerous opportunities and represents a very attractive growth market.

During his week in Japan, Patrick visited neuroscientists at Kyoto University, discussed internationalization at an event of DJW – Japanese-German Business Association and exchanged ideas with life-science founders at Innovation Dojo Japan. We want to thank International Startup Campus for making this extremely insightful and valuable business trip possible. A big “Thank You” goes to Valerie Daldrup for great coordination and organization of the trip!

#photonics #business #technology #startup