Multispectral imaging platform for bio-solution discovery and efficacy screening

Overview

This solution applies multispectral imaging technology as a screening tool to advance the development of novel bio-solutions, using slug pests as a model host organism. The chemical toolbox for crop protection is increasingly limited, and many traditional molluscicides have been banned in the EU due to environmental and non-target organism concerns. This creates an urgent need for alternative biocontrol and bio-rational products to support global food security.

The global molluscicide market is valued at €650m annually, yet bio-solution options remain scarce. A key barrier to pipeline development is the labour-intensive nature of early discovery and efficacy testing. By enabling visualisation of internal structures in living molluscs, multispectral imaging can detect early signs of infection from biocontrol agents such as nematodes, dramatically accelerating candidate identification.

Technical specifications

Core capabilities:

• Non-invasive imaging of internal mollusc structures to detect early-stage infection by biocontrol candidates such as nematodes and bacteria
• Monitoring of infection response when slugs are exposed to commercial biocontrol products
• Tracking of physiological changes including feeding behaviour, egg-laying, hatchability, and locomotion patterns
• Integration with molecular analysis workflows for isolate characterisation
• Evaluation of essential oils and natural compounds for mollusc control, repellent, and antifeedant activity

Workflow stages:

• Collection, identification, and maintenance of slug specimens
• Multispectral imaging combined with targeted dissection for candidate isolation
• Molecular analysis of recovered isolates
• Bioassay of essential oils and natural extracts with imaging-based behavioural monitoring

Technology readiness level

The approach builds on validated proof-of-concept results from the SlugBot project, which demonstrated that imaging technology can visualise internal mollusc structures. The current programme extends this capability toward systematic bio-solution screening, with future validation planned across candidate discovery, molecular characterisation, and behavioural efficacy testing. The platform is positioned to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale discovery and commercial bio-solution development for the molluscicide market.