[MOS] April 6, 2010

[Zina Queen]

Seminar on

Modern Optics and Spectroscopy

Breasts and brains, similarities and differences:  Understanding the 
basic science behind Optical Molecular imaging

Warren Warren,
Duke University

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Conventional clinical imaging methods, such as MRI or X-rays, are 
good at measuring structure but not function, and thus are often 
useless for early diagnosis of disease. Molecular imaging-the use of 
localized chemical signatures-is a rapidly expanding field which 
fuses chemistry, physics, and engineering to enable a revolution in 
medical practice.  I will discuss a variety of applications (focusing 
largely on our work with nonlinear optical methods, with some context 
provided by magnetic resonance) which illustrate this fusion.  For 
example, we have developed the technology to "sculpt" ultrafast laser 
pulses in time, thus letting us image molecular singatures other than 
fluorescence-for example, stimulated emission, sum frequency 
absorption, and self phase modulation. We will discuss applications 
to  hemoglobin, melanins and other molecules to diagnose skin cancer; 
to imaging neuronal firing; and to high resolution stimulated Raman 
microscopy.  The ultimate goal is to develop enhancements to the 
radiologist's "tool kit" which save lives, reduce medical costs, and 
improve public health.

Grier Room, MIT Bldg 34-401
Refreshments served after the lecture
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