Imaging for the future: Photoacoustic tomography using gold nanoshell based molecular probes (TTF.6527)

Tumours produce biochemical changes at an earlier stage than clinical symptoms. Our goal is to try and detect these biochemical signatures of tumours using Photoacoustics: a type of imaging that uses light. In this project we will lay the foundations for this detection. To detect the biochemical changes, we have to develop certain molecular probes to inject into the subject. These probes are small, biocompatible constructs which when in the body can find their way to the tumour due to their attraction for the biochemical changes. The probes also produce strong signals so that they can be recognized by Photoacoustics, thus making tumour detection possible.

With our medical collaborators we will test this concept on mice so a miniaturized high-resolution Photoacoustic imager will also be developed in the project. When successful on small animals, this technology can perhaps be upscaled for human use. In any case, the small animal imaging part is also useful for the medical community since its use has the potential to further our understanding of cancer progression as well as to develop anti-cancer therapies.