“Biomedical Optics: Research in In Vivo Cancer Imaging, Microfluidics, and Probes”
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Abstract: This talk will present our recent research results in biomedical optics for in-vivo cancer diagnostics and molecular analysis. We will present results on optical dynamic imaging during inhalation of carbogen which induces changes in the angiogenic vasculature of tumors and is suitable for cancer detection. Imaging is performed using near infrared transillumination. We will also report results on the activity of an enzyme involved in wound healing to crosslink a fluorescent-labeled substrate into the growing tumor boundary. This method should prove valuable for intraoperative diagnostics. Our research on in vitro diagnostics includes microfluidic and optical probe development. We are developing a microfluidic platform using laser manipulation of individual droplets as a high-sensitivity flexible high-throughput screening system. Research on non-photobleaching molecular-sized probes includes upconverting lanthanide chelates and surface-enhanced lanthanide emission.