Ilaria Testa is an Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Physics at KTH-SciLifeLab in Stockholm, where she develops innovative methods to study molecular dynamics using advanced light microscopy. Understanding life’s complexities requires fast and precise imaging, but traditional microscopes face a challenge: the glowing molecules they rely on fade quickly, limiting their effectiveness.
Her breakthrough, ”event-triggered microscopy,” is a smart microscope that makes real-time decisions. It switches between rapid monitoring and high-precision modes, adapting instantly to capture critical molecular events. This technology has enabled the capture of brain activity and neuronal proteins with unprecedented precision, opening new frontiers in biological observation and transforming our understanding of life.
In her TEDx talk ”Can Microscopes Make Decisions?” Ilaria shares her journey from the conceptualization of the idea to the development of the first instrumentation.
“TEDxKTH – our digital futures” was organized by Digital Futures at Ericsson Open Box, Kista, on 3 September 2024.
