Advanced Bio-Optics Imaging Laboratory
Center for Biomedical Engineering
Lab Members:
Gracie Vargas, Ph.D., Principle Investigator
Dept. of Neuroscience and Cell Biology
Center for Biomedical Engineering
Tuya Shilagard, M.S., Research Associate
Xudong Xiao, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
Collaborators:
Susan McCammon, M.D.,
Vicente Resto, M.D., PhD.
Research
We are investigating the use of emerging optical techniques for imaging and detecting premalignancy and early malignant changes in oral mucosa. It is well known that malignant transformation is accompanied by a number of microstructural and biochemical changes. Optical changes based on light absorption, scattering, and fluorescence also accompany premalignant and early malignant transformation. We are currently investigating the use of advanced optical imaging technology, including multiphoton microscopy autofluorescence (MPM) and second harmonic generation microscopy (SHGM), toward noninvasive imaging of precancerous and cancerous lesions in animal models for Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
A novel aspect of this research is that studies are conducted in vivo, contributing to our understanding of the in vivo progression of malignancy. We are also investigating the feasibility of future clinical translation of these technologies. The ability to microscopically assess a visually suspicious lesion on-site and determine if abnormalities exist below the surface could serve as a powerful method to provide guidance for choosing biopsy sites and avoiding the removal of large tissue areas.
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Figure 3. Reconstructed false-color images showing full thickness of the hamster oral mucosa in a normal case and in a case of oral precancer (dysplasia).
Figure 1. Multiphoton autofluorescence image of epithelial cells in a precancerous tissue
Figure 2. Image of collagen in the oral mucosa of a live hamster. Microvasculature can be seen as dark vessels traversing the field.