Exogenous labeling of biomolecules often introduces artifacts in the measurement of structures and functions of the molecules. Furthermore, specific molecular labeling sometimes is not practical in many clinical imaging and diagnostics. This research focuses on developing and applying label-free optical imaging technologies to visualize structures and molecular compositions of organelles in cells and to map heterogeneities in tissues to enable quantitative biophysical studies of cells and optical biopsies of tissues.

 

Ongoing research in this area involves: (1) microscopy with label-free contrasts involving auto-fluorescence, absorption, and scattering characteristics; (2) broadband hyperspectral imaging techniques to visualize disease or tumor-specific features in tissues; (3) manipulation and evaluation of optical contrast of tissue-mimicking phantoms and physiologically relevant in vitro 3D cell cultures with controlled expressions of endogenous biomarkers; (4) development of optical measurement techniques and standards for quantitative characterization of endogenous chromophores (e.g, oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin, cytochrome-C, lipofuscin, etc.) involving tumor and infectious diseases; (5) modeling of light-tissue interactions and photon transport in tissues for quantitative interpretation of tissue optical properties from experimental results.

key words

Label-free imaging; scattering imaging; absorption imaging; hyperspectral imaging; optical biopsy; light-tissue interaction modeling; photon transport in tissues; 3D cell culture

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants