Research Area 2: Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy

The Problem

Studying microorganisms typically requires expensive and complex microscopy systems, which are not easily accessible in developing countries. However, we've found that it's possible to gain specific information about these organisms without necessarily imaging them in their real-life forms.

Our Research

Our approach utilizes Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS), a computational optics technique. DCS works by sensing minute changes in the path of a light beam through laser speckle analysis. This method has been successfully applied by our partners at the University of Glasgow for heart and brain diagnostics. We are now adapting DCS to detect and study microorganisms, particularly those responsible for diarrheal diseases.