Primary areas of research
Surgical advances through photoacoustic image guidance
Accurate delineation of tumour margins and diagnosis of smaller metastases away from the primary tumour is challenging, leading to inadequate resections and tumour recurrence. How do we assist onco-surgeons in detecting deep tumour metastases, and improve surgical outcomes? We aim to develop and translate targeted, cancer-specific photoacoustic imaging agents that can noninvasively visualize deep-seated (~ cm) tumor tissues or metastases that are not visible to the naked eye during surgery, and therefore assist surgeons in improved resection of primary tumor margins and metastases
Assess and improve therapy response with MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) methods
We focus on extracellular tumour acidity, a well-known biomarker of cancer, caused due to upregulated glycolysis in cancer cells (Warburg effect). Tumour acidosis renders most oncologic treatments such as radio, chemo-, and immunotherapy ineffective in solid tumours.
We propose to use Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRI and pH-responsive CEST MRI contrast agents to noninvasively differentiate tumour aggressiveness based on pH difference. Following pH-neutralization of these tumour types, we propose to evaluate the therapeutic window where extracellular tumour pH is sufficiently neutralized to make therapeutic outcomes effective in aggressive solid tumours.
Studying other disease-relevant biomarkers with photoacoustic imaging
Changes in the physiological or biological landscape during disease onset or a therapeutic regimen often occur before clinical or pathological symptoms are manifested. Some of these physiological features include but are not limited to, metabolic reprogramming, upregulation of enzyme activity, ECM remodeling, hypoxic gradient and others. Using photoacoustic imaging methods and chemistry and biochemical tools, we noninvasively study and follow the dynamic levels of these signatures to eventually improve diagnostic precision or therapy responses or suggest new therapeutic avenues.
