Development of a synchrotron based non-invasive three-dimensional imaging method for soft tissue engineering in vivo studies

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INTRODUCTION: In tissue engineering (TE), biomedical imaging techniques play an increasingly essential role in the characterization of biomaterials, scaffolds, cells, and engineered tissues. Although conventional imaging techniques, such as light microscopy, electron microscopy, and etc., are widely used in in vitro studies, it is still challenging to reveal the interactions between biomaterials and regenerative tissues in vivo due to the lack of in vivo imaging techniques. Progress in TE requires a number of innovations in imaging techniques which are capable of allowing three-dimensional (3D) and time-lapse in vivo visualization and a non-invasive, quantitative analysis of TE scaffolds. OBJECTIVES: The long-term objective of my research program is to advance the technical and practical basis of synchrotron-based (SR) X-ray imaging for TE and other biomedical applications. The short-term goal for this NSERC DG-funded research in the next 5 years is to develop a systematic 3D imaging method for non-invasive in vivo studies of soft tissue engineering with three specific objectives: (1) develop a novel SR propagation based imaging - spiral computed tomography (PBI-SCT) system for non-invasive ex vivo imaging of soft tissue and hydrogel scaffolds and optimize the system to achieve the best spatial and contrast resolution; (2) develop a supporting data processing method for the imaging system to process those image data and quantify the 3D structure of regrowth tissues and scaffolds; and (3) further optimize the imaging system to have the lowest possible radiation dose for in vivo imaging applications, while maintaining the highest possible spatial and contrast resolution with quantitative imaging capabilities for TE in vivo applications. IMPACT: There are several broad impacts of the project that will yield important benefits to both biomedical science and society. The successful completion of this project will establish the PBI-SCT as a highly effective tool for characterizing the 3D structure of engineered tissues and will have a transformative impact on the field to TE. The acceleration of TE research will have significant impact on human health by leading to new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of defects resulting from disease, trauma or congenital defects. The research will also involve training of graduate students to meet the increasing demand for highly qualified personnel in biomedical imaging.