Sources Sought Novel and Enhanced Modalities for Optic Nerve Imaging

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is seeking information on novel and enhanced modalities for optic nerve imaging to support the development of whole eye transplantation. The agency is looking for technologies that can track nerve growth down the optic nerve and to the brain with single axon resolution. Respondents are asked to provide information on current and emerging technologies, as well as their capabilities and experience in providing such technologies. The ideal technology should be able to capture the optic nerve, chiasm, optic tract, and early targets of the visual system in a single image. Some key areas of interest include: • Current or emerging technologies in single axon resolution imaging • Enhancement of current MRI/PET technologies for single axon resolution imaging • Novel tracers for MRI/PET imaging with minimal toxicity • Ability to transport imaging modalities to research sites or hospitals • Capability to differentiate retinal ganglion cells native to the donor optic nerve against iPSCs-derived RGCs The agency is looking for responses that address both the state of the art and near future directions for any topic chosen, with quantitative metrics and references to published literature.