Double Helix to Develop CU 3D Super-Resolution Imaging Technology

Cost-effective technique provides an order of magnitude better resolution in 3D than current microscopes. 

BOULDER, Colo., March 16, 2012 – Double Helix, LLC (Boulder, CO) and the University of Colorado recently completed an exclusive option agreement to allow Double Helix to develop a novel technique for 3D super-resolution imaging.

The technology was developed by Rafael Piestun, a professor in the CU-Boulder department of electrical and computer engineering. Super-resolution – techniques to enhance the resolution of an imaging system beyond the limitations set by the diffraction of light – is key to the development of next-generation microscopes and other optical instruments. The Double Helix optical technology combines 3D optics and a unique signal post-processing technique used for quality improvement in image processing.

Microtubule structure of rat kangaroo epithelial cells, using conventional fluorescence microscopy (top) and 3D Double Helix super-resolution microscopy (bottom). Images courtesy of G. Grover, K. DeLuca, J. DeLuca and R. Piestun

The optical technology offers a major opportunity to provide multifunctional 3D super-resolution imaging capability to thousands of cellular, molecular biology and biophysics laboratories in the United States around the world. The Double Helix technology platform is applicable to a variety of scientific, industrial, and consumer applications, including microscopy, metrology, and computational digital photography, said Piestun. Piestun also is the director of director of COSI, an NSF-funded program for education and research training in Computational Optical Sensing and Imaging.


“We are looking forward to bringing this leading-edge technology to the market, initially in microscopy and later to more markets including metrology and digital optics, a stronghold of the Boulder entrepreneurial community,” said Double Helix founding partner Leslie Kimerling.

“We are excited to see this company launch with our broad fundamental patents,” said Ted Weverka, a licensing manager at the CU Technology Transfer Office. “The cost savings and superior technology will give Double Helix a strong lead.”


About Double Helix:
Double Helix, LLC was founded in 2011 by Dr. Rafael Piestun. The company works in close collaboration with scientists at the University of Colorado at Boulder to develop and commercialize computational optical-digital technologies used in range estimation, super-resolution, and 3D imaging. The company designs products that integrate micro and nano technologies with computational algorithms to offer improved performance in conjunction with reductions in cost, size and complexity. Double Helix focuses on product development while exploring licensing opportunities based on ongoing technological advances.