Northeastern University, a Boston-based  global, experiential, research university built on a tradition of engagement with the world, creating a distinctive approach to education and research, and Phase Holographic Imaging (PHI) announced a collaboration agreement. The new agreement extends the ongoing PHI’s HoloMonitor technology evaluation programme at Northeastern to create a Holographic Imaging Cytometry Programme of Excellence an application development hub and educational resource providing training programmes for scientists using time-lapse cytometry and to foster cross-disciplinary collaborations.

PHI’s HoloMonitor technology enables analysis of label-free cellular specimens utilising the principles of holography. Unlike conventional microscopy, it permits measurement of quantitative parameters, such as cell thickness and cell volume. Digital focusing techniques enable fully automated time-lapse image acquisition. The incubator-tolerant design and the use of a low-power light source make it especially well-suited for long-term kinetic investigations. Proprietary software permits effortless cell tracking and quantitative feature analysis of cells under investigation.

Under the agreement, PHI will provide Northeastern with HoloMonitor M4 instruments and the latest software for the purpose of establishing novel cell analysis applications based on PHI’s non-invasive time-lapse holographic imaging cytometry technology. Instrumentation will be housed in the Core Imaging and Cytometry facility at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences’ School of Pharmacy. The company will provide Northeastern with access to its scientists, custom developments and new technologies prior to public releases. Northeastern will develop and publish research applications, offer feedback on the needs of the research community and help guide future technology developments. Northeastern will also serve as a regional reference site. Northeastern and PHI will create an educational resource focusing on customised training programs and symposia for scientists using holographic imaging cytometry in their research.

“We are pleased to expand the original technology evaluation agreement with PHI. The initial evaluation produced an overwhelming amount of data to support the importance of HoloMonitor technology for research programs within the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. We intend to bring the benefits of holographic imaging to the entire Northeastern research community, academic and industrial institutions in the Boston area by offering access to our core facility and our expertise”, said Mansoor Amiji, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences the Bouvé College of Health Sciences’ School of Pharmacy.

“The expansion of our existing collaboration with PHI is the result of productive utilization of HoloMonitor technology for non-invasive real-time cell cycle analysis in living cells. We are now developing state-of-the art applications multiplexing cell cycle and cell motility. The Holomonitor platform offers unique 4-dimensional imaging capabilities that greatly enhance our understanding of both functions, which was previously unachievable by other technologies”, added Ed Luther, supervisor of Northeastern’s Core Imaging and Cytometry facility.

“The collaboration with Northeastern emphasises our commitment to creating a network of scientists applying HoloMonitor technology in a growing number of biological applications”, said Peter Egelberg, chief executive officer, of PHI.