The OPTIMA Research Group, a multidisciplinary team of 15 researchers across FIVE FACULTIES and SIX DEPARTMENTS at Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) in Toruń, is dedicated to achieving WORLD-LEADING OUTCOMES in applied optical technologies. Our mission is to develop quantitative, high-resolution optical imaging, data processing, and analysis methods to address concrete challenges across diverse disciplines, including biomedical, behavioral, cognitive, and material sciences. We are committed to fostering innovation throughout its ENTIRE LIFECYCLE, from FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH TO PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION AND COMMERCIALIZATION, ensuring our work generates significant scientific, societal, and economic value. Our strategic goals align with the NCU’s initiatives, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, socio-economic outcomes, and leadership development.

TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS

The research is structured into three core pillars: HUMAN BODY, HUMAN MIND, and HUMAN CREATIONS. We will leverage advanced photonic and IT technologies to develop non-invasive, reliable, quantitative, and accessible imaging methods across these pillars with strong emphasis on CROSS-FERTILIZATION OF IDEAS among the pillars, ensuring seamless technology and expertise transfer for societal impact.

1. HUMAN BODY

The HUMAN BODY pillar focuses on advancing biology and medicine through innovative imaging and computational techniques to enhance disease understanding and diagnostics, targeting microscale structure, function, and mechanics of cells, tissues, and organs.

OCULOMICS: EYE AS A WINDOW TO HEALTH. The eye provides critical insights into ocular and systemic health.

• VISION IMPAIRMENT: Develop photonic tools like ultra-high-speed OCT, phase-sensitive SLO, optoretinography, and ultrafast eye-tracking for early detection of glaucoma and AMD, visualizing blood flow and cellular responses.
• SYSTEMIC DISEASES: Apply advanced imaging and deep learning to detect retinal patterns as biomarkers for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
• NEURODEGENERATIVE AND AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: Use ultrafast eye-tracking and algorithms to identify oculomotor irregularities for non-invasive monitoring of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis.

FUNCTIONAL IMAGING FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE. We will advance opto-computational tools like SLO, OCT, and QPI for early disease detection and precise diagnostics.

• INTRAOPERATIVE CANCER DIAGNOSIS: Employ OCE for real-time tumor margin assessment, including full-field OCE and label-free biomechanics based on tissue motion.
• NON-INVASIVE CELLULAR IMAGING: Enhance FF-OCM for high-resolution imaging of oocytes and embryos, quantifying metabolism without labeling.
• MULTIFUNCTIONAL CONTRAST AGENTS: Develop up-conversion nanocrystals for measuring temperature, pH, pressure, and forces in biosensing and cancer imaging.

2. HUMAN MIND

The HUMAN MIND pillar transfers advanced optical TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED FOR OCULOMICS to monitor cognitive functions and behavioral patterns, providing fast, accessible brain state assessments.

• COGNITIVE FUNCTION MONITORING IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS: Integrate optoretinography, ultrafast eye-tracking, fNIRS, and EEG to analyze brain activity, using photoreceptor signals and eye movements to reveal cognitive and emotional processes.
• NEUROLOGICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC DISEASE ASSESSMENT: Use eye-tracking, fNIRS, and supplements like GSR/EDA, olfactometry, and MRI to track dysfunction in ADHD, autism, and post-concussion syndrome, monitoring treatment.
• OPTICAL NEUROMORPHIC COMPUTING: Explore nanomaterials for all-optical, brain-inspired processing in image recognition and logical operations.

3. HUMAN CREATIONS

The HUMAN CREATIONS pillar develops non-destructive tools using electromagnetic radiation for art and archaeology material analysis, applying A UNIQUE TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH MODEL, transferring health diagnostics methodologies from other pillars to cultural heritage.

• ADVANCING ARTIFACT IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES: Use OCT, XRF, and XRD for non-destructive analysis of microstructure, stratigraphy, and hidden features in artworks like van Gogh’s and ancient scrolls.
• ENHANCING CONSERVATION WITH AUTOMATED TOOLS: Develop automated systems to map damage, identify interventions, and guide conservation for museum artifacts, enabling high-throughput analysis.