[MOS] December 12, 2006

[Zina Queen]

Seminar on
Modern Optics and Spectroscopy


Sam Achilefu,
Washington University

Spying cancers with colorful molecules

December 12, 2006

12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.
Grier Room 34-401



Abstract:

Accurate and rapid detection of tumors is of great importance for 
assessing the molecular basis of cancer pathogenesis, preventing the 
onset of complications, and implementing a tailored therapeutic 
regimen. While many human diseases have been studied successfully by 
using differences in the intrinsic optical properties of normal and 
pathologic tissues, molecular imaging of the expression of aberrant 
genes, proteins, and other pathophysiologic processes would be 
enhanced by the use of highly specific exogenous colorful materials, 
particularly near infrared (NIR) fluorescent molecules. 
Unfortunately, the broad absorption and emission spectral profiles of 
NIR biocompatible molecular probes limit their use to multiplex 
information content by conventional fluorescence intensity 
measurements. To address this problem, we have developed a variety of 
optical molecular contrast effectors and methods for imaging tumors 
in the NIR region. Cellular, small animal and human tissue imaging 
studies show that the molecular probes are retained preferentially in 
the target cells and tissue. Confocal microscopy, planar and 
time-domain diffuse optical tomography systems were used in these 
studies.
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