Dr. Utzinger’s research focuses on the development of optical techniques for the early diagnosis of tissue pathologies and monitoring of drug activity.

In our clinically oriented research we use a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to investigate optical tools for the evaluation of female genital tract abnormalities. Currently, the research emphasis includes the application of spectroscopic techniques in microscopic and macroscopic imaging of tissue in-vivo and in culture.

To understand the biology of extracellular matrix degradation we investigate the optical signature of the collagen matrix in a cultured environment with spectrofluorimetry and multiphoton microscopy. In particular the effects of angiogenesis and collagenase are studied.

In a collaborative project on imaging the mouse colon, we develop a miniaturized fiberoptic imaging system and novel tomographic and spectroscopic data analysis and management tools.

We investigate optical signatures of endogenous tissue constituents for its diagnostic and prognostic potential. We also evaluate those signatures to determine their role as confining factors for novel molecular imaging techniques. Signatures are obtained in a clinical setting in situ or in vitro from tissue and arganotypic cultures as well as cell and matrix models. Data is linked through mathematical models with metabolism, oxygenation, matrix integrity and morphology.

The research group’s vision is to develop new technologies for tissue assessment that will increase performance of diagnosis and prognosis, that are cost-effective, and that will increase access to health care. To achieve this goal the laboratory

• designs and tests custom imaging and spectroscopy devices for the clinic,
• develops multispectral microscopy techniques,
• creates biophysical models for optical data analyses and
• develops tissue, cell and matrix models.
  
  

Ovarian Access to Transvaginal Aspiration of Follicles. (Video 1.5 mintues, 3 minutes)