Center for Label-free Imaging and Multiscale Biophotonics (CLIMB)

SUMMARY
The Center for Label-free Imaging and Multiscale Biophotonics (CLIMB) develops cutting-edge optical and
computational imaging technologies for addressing grand challenges in biomedicine, including cancer and
neurodegenerative diseases. Building upon the recent advances in interferometric, nonlinear, chemical, and
computational imaging at UIUC, CLIMB will establish a unique technology and training hub for cutting-edge
biophotonics. Specifically, the three Technology Research and Development (TRD) projects will synergize
expertise in multimodal and nonlinear imaging from the Boppart group, computational imaging from the
Anastasio group, and quantitative phase imaging, from the Popescu group, to translate new technology from
lab-to-clinic and point-of-care settings. The unifying concept for the technologies developed at CLIMB is the
ability to extract quantitative biomarkers from specimens using intrinsic contrast imaging, i.e., label-free. These
technologies will be pushed for the first time to handheld configurations to allow in-vivo and point-of-care (POC)
operation.
We developed a rigorous and inclusive technology training and dissemination plan, as well as a comprehensive
educational program to prepare the next generation of biophotonics researchers for excelling in label-free
imaging.

Grant Number: 5P41EB031772-04
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Stephen Boppart