SBIR PHASE I - TOPIC 426 - TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR VISUALIZING MULTI-SCALE DATA

The Swift project will create an integrated interactive visualization software system for visual analysis of highly multiplex microscopy images of complex cancer samples from nanoscale molecular and architectural features up to single cell and tissue scales. To avoid spatial crowding on 2D displays and taking advantage of the human mind's cognitive coherence, a fully web-enabled Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) visualization layer will show 3D displays of linked quantitative image features and other spatially-linked data over the image plane. Extending from the team's commercial QiTissue software package this project will focus on highly multiplex imaging including cyclic immunofluorescence, imaging mass spectrometry, and DNA-PAINT-based multispectral super resolution microscopy, all requiring innovative multi-channel rendering software devices. Next phase development will include multiuser collaboration in AR/VR space, integration of spatially-resolved genomics and proteomics, and gaming-inspired expert guidance and interaction. Collaborating with the HTAN center at OHSU and elsewhere, the team will have access to data at all relevant scales from NCI-relevant cancer specimens and world class cancer researchers and computational biologists to evaluate our products. The system is expected to broadly meet visualization needs in cancer atlases and clinical research workflows. A strong commercial partner has been identified to ensure wide distribution.