Multi-modality opticalimaging in tissues using ultrafast lasers

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Cancer ranks second among all causes of death in North America. If detected in the pre-invasive stage, its survival rate can be significantly increased. Optical imaging provides a noninvasive way to visualize and detect precancerous and cancerous lesions. Multiphoton Microscopy (MPM) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) are two cutting-edge imaging techniques. MPM detects cells and extracellular matrix with sub-micron resolution and molecular specificity. OCT provides cross-sectional tomographic images showing anatomic structures of tissues on a millimeter scale. We propose to develop a multi-modality optical imaging system, integrating MPM and OCT on a single platform. The sensitivity of MPM to cells and extracellular matrix, and that of OCT to interfaces can enable new observations of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions during the development of neovasculature, cell migration, and extracellular matrix remodeling. These events are fundamentally important to nearly all biological processes, from cancer to wound healing, aging, and diabetes. With benefits from both sides, MPM/OCT will provide a new imaging tool that has both sensitivity and specificity to detect precancerous and cancerous lesions.