M-BARC: an innovative platform for cell and particle analysis

By combining integrated photonics, acoustics, and microfluidics, the platform will enable high-sensitivity readout of the mechanical properties of microscopic biological and synthetic structures, including cells and particles.

"Every cell, bacterium, embryo, or organoid has a unique mechanical 'signature' reflecting its structure, function, and physiological state. In the project, we combine integrated photonics, microring lasers, acoustics, and microfluidics into a compact measurement system that converts subtle mechanical responses of the sample into optical signals. This creates a 'mechanical barcode' that can be further quantitatively analysed," says Muhammad Ali Butt, PhD, from the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology, leader of the project on behalf of WUT. "The platform will enable the measurement of very subtle mechanical responses without the need for chemical labels or physical contact with the sample."

The project addresses key societal challenges in healthcare and agriculture. Over the 42-month project implementation, the sensing platform will be developed, optimized, and experimentally validated in three areas: assisted reproduction (in vitro fertilization, IVF), diagnostics of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and drug screening in the pharmaceutical industry. The technology will enable embryo quality assessment, identification of bacterial mechanical signatures indicative of antibiotic resistance, measurement of organoid contractility, non-invasive drug screening, and the analysis of changes in the mechanical properties of tested objects—occurring during development, disease progression, and in response to treatment.

"The project can increase the effectiveness of IVF procedures through objective embryo selection, enable faster diagnostics of infections caused by drug-resistant microorganisms, and accelerate the development of safer and more effective drugs. The platform under development can contribute to earlier disease detection, more accurate therapeutic decisions, improved patient outcomes, and lower healthcare costs. Beyond healthcare, this technology can also contribute to more sustainable animal breeding and improved food security," explains Muhammad Ali Butt, PhD.

Interdisciplinary and international team

The project is carried out by an international consortium bringing together leading universities, research organizations, and innovative industrial partners: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam from the Netherlands (project coordinator, overall supervision of work), Warsaw University of Technology (development of integrated photonic technologies), Universitat Rovira i Virgili from Spain (expertise in photonic integration, microfabrication, and device development), Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft from Germany (system integration, engineering solutions, and technology validation), VetEmbryo ApS from Denmark (platform validation for assisted reproduction and embryo assessment), Nostics B.V. from the Netherlands (validation of AMR diagnostics and support for the technology transfer process), and 4DCELL from France (validation of spheroid and organoid applications in drug screening for the pharmaceutical industry and mechanobiology). This selection of consortium partners enables close collaboration between academia and industry, establishing a clear path toward technology transfer and commercialization.

The work within the project has been divided into seven closely interconnected work packages:

• WP1: development of the core sensing technology by integrating microlasers, acoustic excitation, and microfluidics, including laboratory validation;

• WP2: design, integration, and optimization of prototype system versions, including electronics, software, enclosure, and complete demonstrators for three target applications;

• WP3: technology validation for assisted reproduction (IVF) by measuring the mechanical properties of oocytes and embryos to support objective embryo assessment;

• WP4: technology validation for antimicrobial resistance diagnostics by analysing the mechanical signatures of bacteria and comparing its effectiveness with established techniques based on Raman spectroscopy;

• WP5: platform validation for drug screening in the pharmaceutical industry by characterizing spheroids and organoids and correlating their mechanical responses with biological function;

• WP6: maximizing project impact through communication and dissemination activities (including scientific publications), exploitation of results, and intellectual property management;

• WP7: ensuring effective project coordination, proper management within the consortium, compliance with ethical principles, research data management, and quality assurance throughout the project duration.

Warsaw University of Technology, specifically the Institute of Microelectronics and Optoelectronics at the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology, is responsible for the development of integrated photonic technologies forming the core of the M-BARC sensing platform, including: design and numerical modelling of photonic components, optimization of resonant sensor architectures, preliminary optical characterization and device validation at the component level, as well as dissemination of project results through scientific publications, conferences, and science popularization activities. The researchers involved in the project are:

• Muhammad Ali Butt, PhD, scientific leader of our team, responsible for coordinating WUT activities and supervising the design, simulations, optimization, fabrication strategy, and characterization of photonic components;
• Bartosz Janaszek, PhD Eng., who supports project coordination and administrative activities, and conducts electromagnetic modelling and numerical simulations of integrated waveguides and microring resonators;
• Marcin Kieliszczyk, M.Sc. Eng., responsible for the project's laboratory and IT infrastructure, including developing dedicated software for laboratory process automation and data acquisition systems, and managing research data generated during the project.

In the photo, from left: Ali Butt, Bartosz Janaszek, and Marcin Kieliszczyk.

Warsaw University of Technology team will be further strengthened by recruiting postdoctoral researchers through an open international call. The researchers hired through this process will bring complementary expertise in integrated photonics, computational electromagnetics, numerical modelling, and optical sensor development, supporting the achievement of the project's scientific and technical goals.

The participation of Warsaw University of Technology highlights the University's growing role in European research in photonics and biomedical sciences, strengthens international cooperation, and contributes to the development of a new generation of integrated photonic sensing technologies, thereby solidifying our University's position in the European research and innovation ecosystem.

Ambitious plans for the next 3.5 years

The project officially started on July 1, 2026, and is scheduled to run for 42 months, with completion planned for December 31, 2029.

"By the end of the project, all research work, technology development, system integration, validation in individual applications, dissemination activities, exploitation of results, and project management are scheduled for completion. Final demonstrators, validation reports, the project results exploitation plan, and the project management report are planned to be delivered in the 42nd month of implementation," announces Muhammad Ali Butt, PhD, team leader from WUT.

To carry out its tasks, Warsaw University of Technology received €1 million from the Horizon Europe program. The funds will primarily cover the development, optimization, and validation of the integrated photonic sensing platform. The total budget of the project is approximately €6.5 million.