Integrated Optical Coherence Tomography and Microscopy for Molecular-Targeted Ima

光学相干层析成像(OCT)是一种实时、活体评估三维组织结构形态的有力工具，其分辨率接近标准组织病理学。光学相干显微镜(OCM)将OCT和共聚焦显微镜相结合，以实现细胞特征的高横向分辨率和3D可视化。然而，目前的OCT和OCM成像技术还不能利用分子靶向造影剂的进展，因为没有。使用OCT和OCM产生分子对比度的已知方法。我们的假设是，3D、多尺度OCT和OCM与分子靶向造影剂相结合，将提高早期癌症检测的敏感性和特异性。该计划的目标是在初步研究的基础上，开发能够实现3D-0CT和OCM成像的分子对比的技术。 该计划将垂直整合OCT和OCM的技术开发，并利用分子靶向造影剂和纳米技术的最新进展。该计划的成功完成将：1)通过实现分子敏感的对比度和3D结构成像来改变OCT领域；2)为高灵敏度和特异性检测癌症标记物开辟道路，这些标记物可以很容易地与光热治疗技术相结合；以及3)作为其他与蛋白质表达异常水平相关的OCT和OCM研究的起点，例如神经退行性疾病和心血管疾病。这些进展将使组织的结构和病理状态能够以3D、活体、实时和微米级的空间分辨率在多个尺度上进行成像。

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a powerful tool for assessing three-dimensional (3D) tissue architectural morphology in vivo and in real-time, with a resolution approaching that of standard histopathology. Optical coherence microscopy (OCM) combines OCT with confocal microscopy in order to achieve high transverse resolution and 3D visualization of cellular features. However, current OCT and OCM imaging technologies have not been able to leverage the advances in molecular-targeted contrast agents because there is no. known method to generate molecular contrast using OCT and OCM. Our hypothesis is that 3D, multi-scale OCT and OCM, in combination with molecular-targeted contrast agents, will improve the sensitivity and specificity of early cancer detection. The goal of this program is to develop the technology that will enable molecular contrast for 3D-0CT and OCM imaging, building upon preliminary studies. This program will vertically integrate technical development in OCT and OCM, and leverage recent advances in molecular-targeted contrast agents and nanotechnology. The successful completion of this program will: 1) transform the OCT field by enabling molecularly sensitive contrast and 3D structural imaging; 2) open the way for the highly sensitive and specific detection of cancer markers that can be readily combined with photothermal therapeutic techniques; and 3) serve as a launching point for additional OCT and OCM studies of other pathologies associated with abnormal protein expression levels, such as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. These advances will enable both the structure and pathological states of tissue to be imaged in 3D, in vivo, in real time, and with micron-level spatial resolutions at multiple scales.