Studies of skin cancer by microRaman spectroscopy and laser spectral imaging

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Our research program will focus on experimental studies of skin cancer using microRaman spectroscopy and laser spectral imaging including Raman imaging and multiphoton imaging. The first goal of our research program is to gain insight into the molecular basis of cancer. The second goal is to develop a non-invasive method for the diagnosis of skin cancer. Skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, is by far the most common cancer in Canada (about 75,000 new cases each year). Unfortunately, the diagnosis of skin cancer still relies on biopsy, an invasive surgical procedure. In addition, the molecular mechanism of the cause and metastasis of cancer is still far from being fully understood. Raman scattering spectroscopy has been proven to be an effective tool of probing vibrational excitations in biological materials. The observed Raman spectra often contain rich information about the chemical composition, molecular structure, and molecular interactions in the sample. A Raman image is constructed by measuring the Raman spectrum at each pixel of a two- or threedimensional image. For example, the Raman image of a cell contains both the spectral and structural information of the bioassemblies of the cell. Therefore, Raman imaging is a versatile tool for the investigation of molecular, cellular and tissue functions, as well as cellular mechanisms of diseases and drug action. Multiphoton imaging is another spectral imaging technology. In the past few years, this technology has attracted a great deal of attention because of its capability of non-invasive sectional imaging with a high resolution and high efficiency. We are a group of physicists and medical doctors with expertise in laser spectroscopy, condensed matter physics, dermatology and cancer biology. The research community and ultimately the cancer patients will benefit from our research results.