Participant categories required:

1. PARAFLUO PROJECT Funding scheme “Research for the benefit of specific groups (in part. SMEs)” This scheme will support research and technological development projects where the bulk of the research is carried out by RTD performers for the benefit of specific groups, in particular Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) - in small groups or in associations - or for Civil Society Organisationsand their networks (CSO1s). Research for SMEs and for SME associations, aims to solve problems common to SMEs; research for CSOs aims to develop scientific knowledge related to CSOs activities in order to contribute to public debate. Participant categories required: 3 SME participants (from three different Member States or Associated countries) and 2 RTD performers (independent from any other participant).

2. PARAFLUO PROJECT • Full Title: PARAllel FLUOrescence spectroscopy tools for micro and nano- analytical applications down to single biomolecules. • 7FP - Research for SMEs • Finanziamento IMM: 154k€ per 24 mesi, 16 man months • Stato: in esecuzione dall’1 Marzo 2009 • Coordinating person: Prof. Sergio Cova (MPD) • Partecipants:

3. PROJECT OUTLINE • Development of a high-sensitivity system for rapid sFLIM measurements with compact size through: • Development of a multichannel photon detection module based on a linear monolithic array of SPADs, providing fully independent photon counting channels for simultaneous spectral and time resolved fluororescence measurements. (CNR-IMM BO) • Development of an ASIC based multichannel integrated TCSPC system (PoliMI, Fachhochschule Brandenburg) • Micro-lens system for focusing light onto every SPAD pixel providing: • the improvement overall detector efficiency; • suitable AR coatings on each surface to improve efficiency and reduce back-reflections (Heriot-Watt Univ.); • a form of mechanical assembly for robust and reproducible prototypes (Helia Photonics). • Integration of all sub-systems into an existing single molecule microscopy system (MT200 by PicoQuant) sFLIM = spectrally resolved Fluorescence-Lifetime Imaging Microscopy – consente una buona comprensione dei processi biologici a livello molecolare

4. IMM Activity sviluppare un array di detector SPAD con circuito di timing integrato sul chip per ottenere un’elevata risoluzione di photon-timing (<100ps FWHM). The SPAD array will be fabricated by using a custom silicon technology tailored for providing: • large active area of the SPAD pixels: diameter between 50μm and 100μm; • high photon detection efficiency in the visible and near infra-red spectral range: ~ 50% at 550nm, ~ 25% at 700nm; • low dark counting rate: < 1000c/s with detector chip at room temperature, <50c/s with chip cooled by an integrated Peltier element; • low afterpulsing: total afterpulsing probability < 3%; • good photon timing resolution: ~ 100ps FWHM or better; • low optical crosstalk probability: < 1%. A linear 8x1 SPAD array will be developed. The array will be housed in a compact photon counting module, which will include all the electronics needed for the operation of the individual SPADs in the array, the bias supply distribution and the cooling of the detector chip by means of a Peltier element;

5. Contribution to advancement of knowledge / technological progress The new system will open completely new market opportunities for multidimensional (spatial, spectral and temporal) invivo-imaging and spectroscopy in biology and medicine. Besides the new instrumentation technology, new data analysis routines will be developed in order to make possible a fast analysis and visualization of multidimensional data.