The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Biological Infrastructure awarded $360,000 to the University of Colorado on August 15, 2026, under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) to develop DeepSpiral, an innovative two-photon super-resolution microscopy technique. This collaborative research project, scheduled for completion by July 31, 2029, will integrate multiphoton and single-molecule localization microscopies to enable cellular imaging at unprecedented depths within living tissue. The primary deliverable is a novel imaging technology capable of resolving molecular dynamics in deep brain tissue in vivo, addressing a critical limitation in current microscopy methods where light scattering prevents clear visualization beyond the tissue surface.
The project will produce both technological and educational outcomes. The technical innovation will advance understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying brain functions such as learning and memory by enabling visualization of protein organization and molecular structures far below the tissue surface. Beyond neuroscience applications, the super-resolution imaging capability at depth is expected to yield novel measurement and analytical applications across other biological systems, engineering, and chemistry. Additionally, the project team will deliver interdisciplinary training in fluorescence microscopy, neuroscience, and materials science to graduate and undergraduate students, providing educational infrastructure and networking opportunities that connect young scientists with industrial applications of the technology.