Composite image of transilluminated window chamber (left side) and pseudocolor image map of microvessel hemoglobin saturation (right side) computed from hyperspectral image data.
Research
Overview
Research interests in BITS laboratory span various areas in the field of biomedical optics with the primary motivation being the improvement of therapeutic modalities in the monitoring and treatment of disease. A long term goal is to help establish clinical techniques to individualize patient therapy and improve therapeutic response to treatment. Both basic and applied science research projects are performed.
Optical measurements of oxygen transport to tumors
Tumor hypoxia has been shown to have prognostic value in clinical trials involving radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Tumor oxygenation studies at microvascular levels can provide understanding of oxygen transport on scales at which oxygen transfer to tissue occurs. To fully grasp the significance of blood oxygen delivery and hypoxia at microvascular levels during tumor growth and angiogenesis, the spatial and temporal relationship of the data must be preserved and mapped. Using tumors grown in window chamber models, functional imaging techniques can provide serial spatial and temporal maps of blood oxygenation at the microvascular level. Hyperspectral imaging of microvascular hemoglobin saturation is employed in this project.
