NSF awards SBIR grant to develop an affordable cellular video microscopy platform
The National Science Foundation has awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant to 37degrees, Inc. to develop a personal, cloud-connected cellular video microscopy system that makes dynamic live-cell imaging accessible and affordable for scientists, educators, and industry researchers.
Traditional microscopes often capture only static images, missing vital insights from long-term cellular behavior. The proposed solution integrates a compact, modular incubator — designed with an optical port for continuous imaging — with an automated video capture module. This setup enables stable, multi-day video microscopy without the need for bulky, contamination-prone incubation systems.
To address the challenge of managing large video datasets, the system employs GPU-based real-time analysis and a cloud platform for storage, collaboration, and data sharing. The resulting ecosystem will support a growing library of cellular videos and analytical tools, with applications spanning academic research, biotechnology, contract research organizations, and STEM education.
This NSF-funded project supports the Foundation’s mission to advance scientific innovation with broad societal impact.
Read the official award notice →
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- CultureON 100 — portable CO₂ incubator for live cell transport.
About the NSF Seed Fund
The National Science Foundation focuses on transforming scientific and engineering discoveries into products and services with commercial and societal impact. The deep technologies NSF funds show promise but their success hasn’t yet been validated. Each year, NSF awards $200+ million in research and development funding to approximately 400 startups across the United States.
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