Research

The basis for our technology is the so-called inline holography microscopy. We shine coherent light through a transparent volume with microscopic objects like bacteria, spores, algae, microplastics, etc. in it. These objects scatter a small amount of this light. The scattered light interferes with the illumination beam, creating interference patterns that are recorded by a camera. The breakthrough technology to be further developed in this project uses recorded in-line holograms to calculate the full light field in the entire sample volume by backpropagation or numerical refocusing. This offers several advantages: 1. the ability to numerically refocus after image acquisition greatly simplifies data acquisition. 2. cells and environmental particles can be observed in their natural 3D environment. 3. it is possible to observe many more objects simultaneously than is possible with conventional microscopy, and it is possible to record a continuous flow of an analyzed fluid. Based on the data collected with this technology, Holloid aims to develop algorithms that will allow researchers and environmental analysts to simultaneously detect and quantify bacteria and microparticles using a microscope/sensor suitable for environmental monitoring, including groundwater. This will provide a new means for those responsible for water quality in the environment and, ultimately, in drinking water to gain insights with significant implications for the health of our ecosystems and people. Ultimately, the results of this project can form the basis for numerous other applications in environmental monitoring and beyond.

The rapid development of digital technologies is shaping our daily lives, the economy and industry. They are also becoming increasingly important in agriculture in order to optimize operational processes, increase efficiency and boost yields. Innovative products such as mobile measuring stations, microclimate monitoring devices, security cameras, software solutions for field trials, drone image analysis and herd management systems demonstrate the diversity of digital applications. The digitalization of agriculture, also known as “precision farming”, “smart farming” or “digital farming”, shows a trend towards AI-based systems. These systems recognize patterns in large amounts of data and independently derive decisions and work steps. Digital technologies should not only increase efficiency and yields, but also make agriculture more environmentally friendly, for example by optimizing the use of fertilizers and reducing the use of pesticides. Despite these positive developments, the environmental impact of digital technologies is often neglected. Few studies deal with this topic. The production and disposal of digital devices is associated with considerable resource consumption, which poses a challenge for the circular economy. The use of advanced materials in sensor technology and other areas requires a critical assessment of environmental and health risks. Sustainability aspects, including material selection, energy consumption and disposal, must already be considered in the design process.

Xylem parenchyma cells (XPCs) are usually the least hardy stem tissue and therefore determine frost survival of trees and their northern distribution limit. Based on differential thermal analysis (DTA), two mechanisms for frost survival of XPCs have been described: Less frost-hardy XPCs are killed by lethal intracellular freezing, called deep supercooling, which occurs between −24 and −50°C. Most frost-hardy XPCs (−196°C) are thought to survive by freeze dehydration and were termed freezing tolerant. However, recent evidence suggests that superimposed freeze dehydration may be also involved in deep supercooling. The underlying mechanisms of frost hardiness of XPCs remain largely unknown. Therefore we aim to use a new, high resolution differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) to quantify the extent and temperature-dependent dynamic of supercooling and freeze dehydration of XPCs. Additionally attention is paid to specific freezing responses that originate from intraspecific differences in xylem anatomy, XPC architecture and function. Quantitative cell parameters of XPCs including pit traits of vessel associated cells will all be related to the specific freezing behavior measured by DSC. In this context, specific molecular components inside XPCs (anti ice nucleation substances) and of cell walls that affect their porosity and stiffness, and of the black cap (lipids) associated with the pits that act at the symplast-apoplast interface, will be analyzed by microscopic techniques including Raman micro-spectroscopy and Atomic force microscopy. The mechanisms of frost hardiness of XPCs are poorly understood, and, most strikingly, still unknown for most European tree species. In this context, the aspect of differences in XPC construction types and xylem anatomy have not particularly been investigated by so far. Mechanistic involvement of molecular components in XPC frost survival is – except for some recent studies – an understudied topic. In view of climate change, the regrowth dates are rapidly advancing, which increases the overall probability of devastating frost events. Therefore, the results will yield much needed improvement in our predictions of tree fitness response to climate change, which is economically relevant in forestry but also for the cultivation of fruit trees and ornamental plants.