X-ray induced photoacoustic nanoprobe: Break depth dependency of bioimaging

该项目旨在开发一种纳米探测器，使用X射线激发发光的纳米激光器作为局部光源，以激活耦合的响应型光声传感器。在分子水平上对特定生物标志物进行原位成像是了解其在生理和病理过程中作用的关键，但由于浅光的穿透，目前使用荧光探针的成像技术无法检测到深层组织中的生物标志物。通过利用X射线和声波对组织的穿透特性，采集声波作为读出信号，可以实现对深层组织生物标志物的实时监测，促进了深层组织生物标志物检测技术的进步。

This project aims to develop a nanoprobe using an X-ray excited luminescence “nanolaser” as the local light source to activate coupled responsive photoacoustic sensors. In-situ imaging of specific biomarkers at the molecular level is key to understanding their roles in physiological and pathological processes, but current imaging techniques using fluorescent probes cannot detect biomarkers in deep tissues due to shallow light penetration. By capitalising on the tissue penetrating property of X-rays and acoustic waves and collecting acoustic waves as the read-out signal, real-time monitoring of biomarkers in deep tissues could be achieved, advancing detection technology for deep-tissue biomarkers.