3-D upgrade to a hyperspectral dark field microscope

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This proposal seeks resources for an urgent upgrade to our dark field hyperspectral microscope. A dark field microscope allows image of even nanoscopic objects, such as nanoparticles, while also recording their scattering characteristics. Our current system is used by more than 20 researchers from different research groups in science and in engineering. However, the current system only allows 2D (planar) imaging, which is a serious impediment to various of the research projects already being developed. The upgrade will allow 3D imaging (sectioning and depth profiling (tens of micrometers deep)) which is essential to enable visualization and location of nano-objects in a variety of systems, including living cells, tissues, bacteria, gels and polymeric particles. The research projects that will be possible due to the upgrade include a protocol to increase the efficiency of cancer radiotherapy through the introduction of metallic nanoparticles in the tumour site. Novel metallic nanoparticles will be fabricated and introduced to cancer cells that will be subsequently subject to various radiation doses. This will allow the development of probes that will improve the outcomes of radiotherapy, one of the most used methods for cancer treatment. The uptake of nanoparticles by biological systems will also be investigated using a novel polymer metal nanoparticle composite, which has the potential to deliver drugs directly to tumour sites. This will support the development of new vehicles for smart drug treatments that will also improve outcomes of cancer therapy. The upgraded system will enable this research by providing the proper characterization (location) of the nanoparticles within the cells. Beyond cancer research, the new upgrade will also be used to visualize in 3D the interaction between bacteria and cell membranes and the time dependent behaviour of molecular systems in gel networks. This type of information will be useful to the understanding of the mechanism of diseases and it will drive the development of target drugs to fight the spread of infections.