BRIGHT has been selected for funding through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder Programme, one of Europe's most competitive funding schemes for high-risk, high-gain research. Coordinated by Lorenzo Albertazzi of TU/e's Department of Biomedical Engineering, the project aims to develop the world's first fully automated, AI-driven microscope capable of performing advanced diagnostic analyses on patient biopsies with single-molecule sensitivity.
The European Innovation Council provides funding for research projects developing breakthrough technologies. The EIC Pathfinder program supports researchers conducting visionary early-stage research that lays the scientific foundation for future technological breakthroughs.
"The newly funded BRIGHT project brings together leading expertise in microscopy, artificial intelligence, automation, and clinical diagnostics from across Europe," explains Lorenzo Albertazzi .
This year, 2,104 EIC Pathfinder proposals were submitted from across Europe, of which only 43 projects were placed on the Main List for funding. BRIGHT ranked 8th overall and received an evaluation score of 4.89 out of 5.
Bringing advanced microscopy into the clinic
"Over the past decade, advances in super-resolution microscopy and single-molecule imaging have enabled researchers to study cells and disease biomarkers in unprecedented detail.
Despite their potential applications, these technologies have largely remained confined to specialized research environments because of their technical complexity. BRIGHT aims to bridge that gap."
The BRIGHT project will integrate advanced microscopy, artificial intelligence, automation, and clinical expertise into a turnkey system capable of operating autonomously and performing clinical analyses without specialist intervention.
Advanced imaging
By making advanced imaging technologies accessible in routine clinical settings, the consortium hopes to enable a new generation of diagnostic tests and support more personalized treatment decisions.
BRIGHT is where light meets intelligence. By bringing together advanced light microscopy and artificial intelligence, we aim to translate fundamental innovation into real impact for patients.
Associate professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at TU/e
"As a proof of concept, BRIGHT will autonomously analyze biopsies from patients with B-cell lymphoma. The system will generate detailed single-molecule biomarker profiles and relate them to treatment response, without human intervention."
European collaboration
The consortium is coordinated by TU/e and builds on Albertazzi's expertise in applying super-resolution microscopy to clinical samples.
In addition to TU/e, the consortium includes Radboudumc (clinical expertise), the University of Lisbon, the University of Copenhagen (artificial intelligence), Vilnius University (microscopy hardware), KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden (microscopy software), and Ultimeyes (prototype development).
Together, the partners will work to translate advanced microscopy from the research laboratory into practical healthcare applications.
From the optical table to the bedside
For Albertazzi and his team, BRIGHT represents an important step toward translating fundamental technological innovation into clinical impact.
"The project builds on years of research into advanced microscopy techniques and aims to make these technologies accessible beyond specialized laboratories. BRIGHT seeks to create a platform that can ultimately support clinicians in making better-informed treatment decisions.
Beyond its direct application in hematological cancers, the project is expected to accelerate the broader adoption of advanced microscopy in diagnostics.
By making high-resolution imaging easier to use in clinical environments, BRIGHT aims to improve access to detailed diagnostic information, support more personalized therapies, and strengthen Europe's position in next-generation medical imaging technologies."
