Student: Matt Chrest
Project Mentors: Dr. Barbara Smith – SBHSE
Dr. Benjamin Bartelle - SBHSE
Dr. Sarah Stabenfeldt – SBHSE
YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting
Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/96679604154
Zoom meeting time: 9am - 11am
Abstract
Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a rapidly developing technique that utilizes the absorption properties of materials to develop a reconstruction of biological materials. This method is based on the photoacoustic effect, which is the thermoelastic expansion of a medium due to the absorption of a non-ionizing laser pulse. This expansion generates an acoustic wave that can be recorded using an ultrasonic transducer. Because of the unique characteristics of photoacoustic imaging, this technique can be utilized in various biological circumstances. During my applied project, I have helped developed two unique PAI tools including a photoacoustic flow cytometry (PAFC) device, and a photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) system. The PAFC modality is used to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) down to a single cell. This imaging method was created to ultimately improve clinical testing for metastatic tumors cells. This system combined the noninvasive characteristics of PAI with the use of Copper Sulfide nanoparticles to create an innovative method of identifying the presence of CTCs. The PAM system was developed to target neuronal subpopulations using the photoacoustic effect in combination with fluorophores. This method incorporates the use of near infrared absorbing infrared fluorescent proteins (iRFPs) that can be genetically encoded into cells. The iRFP molecules are used as contrast agents to selectively image excitatory neurons. The overarching goal of this work is to utilize PAI for obtaining cellular information at greater depths, through unique multidisciplinary engineering solutions.