Development of novel biocompatible and biodegradable probes for photoacoustic imaging

Abstract

Photoacoustic imaging has recently emerged as a powerful molecular imaging modality, which provides highly specific molecular imaging with up to a few cm depth and 20-200 μm resolution, offering great potential in overcoming the limitations of other currently available imaging modalities (e.g. fluorescence imaging, nuclear imaging and magnetic resonance imaging). Current photoacoustic contrast agents, such as carbon nanotubes, gold nanorods and NIR dyes are not specifically designed for photoacoustic imaging and have limitations in terms of non-biodegradability or cytotoxicity.

The aim of this project is to develop novel contrast probes (NPs) with surface functionalized ligands for targeted photoacoustic imaging of cancer tumors using a murine tumor model. Using basic image reconstruction, processing and analysis of the photoacoustic images, the developed probe will be optimized to give high photoacoustic response with tumor targeting via enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effects, as well as active targeting effects.