Sono-optical force tomography (soft)

The MEDIZINISCHE UNIVERSITAT INNSBRUCK in Belgium from Europe region has released this tender for Sono-optical force tomography (soft) Organoids and cancer spheroids are revolutionizing biomedical research. Derived from stem cells, organoids mimic the complexity of organs, provide in vitro systems for human disease modelling, tissue engineering and drug testing, paving the way towards personalized medicine. SOFT will create an entirely novel non-contact and non-invasive acoustofluidic tool to address open questions and limitations in organoid research. The general idea is inspired by breakthroughs in quantitative methods for holographic optical tweezers. As we have already shown, standing MHz acoustic wave configurations enable optical tomography by rotating the levitated micro-sample into many directions. SOFT will go beyond this and create a FORCE tomogram in the microfluidic chamber by applying structured ultrasound transducer elements acting as emitters and/or sensors of acoustic waves. An inverse problem will be formulated and solved, simultaneously inferring the 3D force field and the sample properties from pressure patterns measured on the micro-fluidic chamber walls. Acoustic forces lead to controllable strain on the sample. The 3D force map together with the 3D deformation map created by optical tomography will provide the means to reconstruct a spatially resolved ‘stress-strain-diagram’ of the sample. This will, for the first time, allow one to assess and correlate local optical (morphological) and mechanical (functional) properties of the sample, providing a new enabling tool for mechanobiological investigations. SOFT will study the blood vessel network of organoids. The organ-specific morphology and functionality of vascularization in 3D is of utmost importance, since its dysfunctionality limits organoids to small size. The unique combination of dual optical/acoustical tomographic information, requiring Optics as well as Acoustics expertise, that SOFT provides will enable deep insights into organoid vascular health and development. with tender notice no. 101264416 published on 07 Oct 2026. The tender is due to expire on 31 Oct 2031. This tender is sourced from Cordis and is eligible for suppliers interested in Tomography devices, Fibre-optic apparatus, Optical microscopes. Interested bidders can obtain further information including complete bid documents or ways to participate by registering on Tender Impulse and referencing via Tender Impulse ID 15268555.