Holographic Identification for Safe Freshwater Environments

The project “Holographic Identification for Safe Freshwater Environments” (HI-SaFE) addresses the urgent need for rapid, accurate, and cost-effective detection of some important waterborne pathogens that threaten public health and safety. Microorganisms such as Legionella, E. coli, and toxin-producing cyanobacteria like Microcystis spp. pose severe health risks, worsened by aging infrastructure and climate change. Traditional detection methods are often slow, costly, or limited. Holloid GmbH develops a groundbreaking solution based on distributed digital holographic microscopy, enabling rapid and precise detection of different pathogens, even at low concentrations. In this project, BOKU Institute of Colloid and Biointerface Science supports Holloid in developing this solution to find pathogens in water. By integrating portable, real-time monitoring and adaptable sampling strategies, the project’s outcomes can ensure swift responses to contamination events, enhancing safety for both drinking and recreational water sources and thereby contributing to public health.