Special Seminar - Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging of Tissue Metabolism
Date: July 11, 2012
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Bossone Research Enterprise Center, Room: 709
Speaker(s):
Mahsa Ranji, PhD
Assistant Professor
Electrical Engineering Department
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Details:
An ever growing Biophotonics research area is optical instrumentation where collaborative efforts are needed to develop the next generation of bio-optic instruments and computational approaches for disease diagnosis. We employ biophotonic tools to assess tissue metabolism in normal and diseased states. Optical fluorescence techniques allow diagnosis of tissue metabolic state in vivo, in real time, and without exogenous tags. Based upon small animal models, we investigate intrinsic tissue signals for in vivo “optical biopsy” of cardiopulmonary diseases.
Heart attack (myocardial infarction) is the leading cause of death in the United States. We detect mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress as the markers of cell death following myocardial infarction. We have developed optical spectroscopy and imaging instruments to acquire fluorescence signals of the intrinsic mitochondrial fluorophores, NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) and FADH2 (Flavoprotein Adenine Dinucleotide), which are the primary electron carriers in oxidative phosphorylation. The ratio of these fluorophores, NADH/FAD, called the redox ratio (RR), is a quantitative marker of the mitochondrial redox and metabolic state of tissue in intact organs in vivo. We have shown that there is a direct correlation of RR and oxidative stress progression in cardiopulmonary injuries and diabetes.
We also develop image cytometry tools for quantitative analysis of live or stained cells fluorescence. Specifically, we are interested in regenerative potential of differentiating stem cells into cardiomyocytes. The intrinsic regeneration of cardiac tissue after a heart attack seems to be insufficient to prevent heart failure. Transplantation of stem cells into damaged myocardium seems to improve heart function. By imaging and tracking fluorescently labeled stem cells, we can monitor their metabolism and survival over time.
WATCH WEBCAST
Biosketch:
Dr. Mahsa Ranji is the director of the Biophotonics lab in University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, focusing on optics, photonics, and their applications in biology. Her research focus is on development of optical techniques for noninvasive fluorescence imaging of tissue in normal and stressed conditions. Dr. Ranji's and her team's goal is to diagnose diseases early and noninvasively, translate benchtop techniques into clinical settings and to evaluate efficacy of treatments. Based upon small animal models, she has investigated intrinsic tissue signals for in vivo “optical biopsy” of hearts, lungs and kidneys. Dr. Ranji has applied optical imaging tools to study mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. To accomplish the aims of their interdisciplinary projects, her team combines instrumentation design, software development, imaging, image processing tools, and statistical analysis.
Directions:
The Bossone Research Enterprise Center is located at the corner of 32nd and Market Streets.
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