|
Molecular Imaging is a novel multidisciplinary field involving the efforts from molecular and cell biology to identify the molecular imaging target, radiochemistry and bioconjugation chemistry to develop suitable imaging probes, pharmacology to optimize the probes for optimal targeting efficacy and favorable in vivo kinetics, and image-capture techniques to non-invasively monitor the fate of molecular imaging probes in vivo. Aside from its basic diagnostic applications, molecular imaging also plays pivotal roles in treatment efficacy assessment, drug discovery, and understanding of molecular mechanisms in living systems. This lab is interested in developing and validating novel molecular imaging probes (antibodies, proteins, peptides and peptidomimetics) for visualization and quantification of molecular targets that are aberrantly expressed during tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. The combination of anatomical (microMRI and microCT) and molecular imaging techniques (microPET, microSPECT, and NIR fluorescence imaging) will allow us to obtain molecular and functional information related to tumor growth and dissemination, and monitor specific molecular therapeutic efficacy. In particular, we are currently working closely with integrin alpha(v)beta(3) and VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) targeted imaging and therapy applications.
Specific projects include:
- Multimodality (e.g. PET, SPECT, optical) imaging of tumor angiogenesis and metastasis;
- Development of multifunctional probes for simultaneous multimodality imaging and core
- Receptor targeted delivery of gene (e.g. adenovirus, siRNA), chemo (e.g. cytotoxins, prodrugs), and radiotherapeutics (e.g. 90Y, 177Lu).
|
