Advanced Microscopy and Image Guided Interventions

Mission

The missions of the Advanced Microscopy and Image Guided Interventions (AMIGI) group are: 1) to develop novel instrumentation for disease diagnosis and therapy guidance; and 2) to develop more efficient methods and tools for cancer therapy. To accomplish this mission our group works closely with clinicians, clinical care givers, and clinical researchers.

The AMIGI group also provides support within PSI in a broad range of applications in the ophthalmic imaging and biology areas.

Core Competencies

Core competencies include optical-based diagnostics and sensing, nanotechnology-based contrast agents for cancer targeting, laser tissue interactions, and advanced electro-mechanical design and control. These competencies are supported by a modern biomedical optics laboratory that is equipped with state of the art instrumentation (light sources, optical spectrum analyzer, fiber splicing and polishing equipment, Olympus motorized microscope, digital oscilloscopes, signal generators, etc.), and scientists and engineers with skills in optical engineering and spectroscopy, electrical, electronic and software engineering, system control and automation.

Examples of core competencies in our area are presented in the followings:

NIRS spectroscopy for monitoring of brain pathophysiology

Nanotechnology-based contrast agents for cancer targeting

Bright field  (A) and fluorescence (B) images of  HT29 colon cancer cells incubated with functionalized  microparticles, which selectively target cancer cells. Magnification 100X.

Optical coherence tomography for cancer diagnosis

Current Research Thrusts Include:

·        Optical coherence tomography (OCT) for pancreatic cancer screening and therapy guidance.

   Sponsor: NIH/NCI

·        Breast biopsy guidance using real-time processing of OCT data

   Sponsor: NIH/NCI

·        Nanotechnology-based enhanced contrast multimodal imaging for diagnosis of early stage epithelial cancers in colon, esophagus, and pancreatic duct

   Sponsor: NIH/NCI

·        Near-infrared spectroscopy for diagnosing of brain pathophysiology in patients with stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and traumatic injuries

   Sponsor: DoD/CDMRP

·        Advanced polarization microscopy technologies for the characterization of biological structures

   Sponsor: NIH/NIBIB

Our recent and current sponsors include the National Institutes of Health, the DoD, and DARPA and select commercial entities.

Area Leadership

Dr. Nicusor Iftimia

 Since receiving his Ph.D. in 1996  Dr. Iftimia has developed a broad scientific background in optical imaging that includes various technologies: near-infrared spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, laser-induced fluorescence imaging, endoscopic confocal microscopy, and spectrally encoded confocal microscopy.

Since joining PSI in 2004 Dr. Iftimia has focused on development of novel optical imaging technologies for cancer diagnosis in the gastrointestinal tract, breast, urology, and gynecology. In recent years Dr. Iftimia has conceived several key pieces of intellectual property that will enable more efficient diagnosis of epithelial cancers, cystic cancers of the pancreas, as well as for field diagnosis of military personnel with severe brain injuries.

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