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<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000">Seminar on<br>
Modern Optics and Spectroscopy<br>
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<br>
Rebecca Richards-Kortum,<br>
Rice University<br>
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<i>Optical Imaging for point of care diagnostics<br>
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</i>May 1, 2007<br>
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12:00 - 1:00 p.m.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000">Grier Room
34-401</font></div>
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<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000">Recent advances in
MEMS technologies, miniature microscopy, nanotechnology, molecular
recognition, and low power sensors and microprocessors now offer the
ability to design low-cost, reusable platforms for point-of-care (POC)
diagnostics. This talk will describe research efforts to
integrate molecular imaging technologies based on novel nanoparticles
together with miniature microscopes to detect cancer and infectious
disease at the point of care. Our approach is built on the
concept of modular design to yield a flexible platform of technologies
that can be integrated and interchanged for multiplex detection of a
variety of targets. To stain samples for optical analysis, we
have developed a modular approach to synthesize contrast agents,
wherein components such as the optical label and the probe molecule
can be interchanged to realize a variety of optically active agents
suitable for multiplex detection. To interrogate stained
specimens, we have also developed a modular approach to build
miniature optical sensors, in which microlenses, detectors and other
optical elements can be interchanged on a common micro-optical table
to yield a versatile array of tiny microscopes and spectrometers for
quantitative biological sensing. We will illustrate that these
methods yield a powerful and versatile approach to cost-effective,
multiplexed POC diagnosis. </font><font size="+1"
color="#000000"> <font face="Arial"> In parallel, we have
developed multidisciplinary educational programs to train students to
participate in interdisciplinary research efforts. With support
from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, we formed a new
undergraduate concentration called Beyond Traditional Borders (BTB).
The BTB program brings together science, engineering, policy, social
science and humanities undergraduates to address POC design problems
in developing countries. In creating solutions to real world
challenges, students are challenged to think beyond traditional
disciplinary and geographic boundaries. The program spans the
freshman to senior level, and students have the opportunity to travel
to the international site to test their solution in collaboration with
partner scientists and clinicians.</font></font></div>
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