Laboratory of Nanosensor Imaging in Cell Therapy (NICE-Lab)
1. Imaging nanotherapeutics
1. Imaging nanotherapeutics
Brain is the least accessible part of our body, it is protected by the blood brain barrier, which makes the direct treatment monitoring difficult. Non-invasive imaging such as MRI is a solution. In our lab, we are interested in developing nanotherapeutics to facilitate treatment and treatment monitoring using MRI. This is achieved by developing a series of hydrogel and nanocarriers that have specific mechanical and imaging properties for neural therapeutics. For example, we have shown that the recently developed theranostic hydrogels combined with pH-nanosensors can reveal cell viability using CEST MRI, which facilitate cell delivery, protect the delivered therapeutic cells and monitor cell status. This platform has shown promising translation potential for cell therapy. The findings are applicable to design and fabricate unique nanotherapeutics for a number of disease in the brain, including brain cancer and stroke.
Brain is the least accessible part of our body, it is protected by the blood brain barrier, which makes the direct treatment monitoring difficult. Non-invasive imaging such as MRI is a solution. In our lab, we are interested in developing nanotherapeutics to facilitate treatment and treatment monitoring using MRI. This is achieved by developing a series of hydrogel and nanocarriers that have specific mechanical and imaging properties for neural therapeutics. For example, we have shown that the recently developed theranostic hydrogels combined with pH-nanosensors can reveal cell viability using CEST MRI, which facilitate cell delivery, protect the delivered therapeutic cells and monitor cell status. This platform has shown promising translation potential for cell therapy. The findings are applicable to design and fabricate unique nanotherapeutics for a number of disease in the brain, including brain cancer and stroke.
2. Smart nanosensors to image cell status
2. Smart nanosensors to image cell status
Cell therapy has shown promises in treating a number of neural diseases. Imaging of transplanted cells is still challenging in patients. One of the keys to facilitate the translation of cell therapy is to allow interactive treatment monitoring via imaging. Hence, a versatile platform to fabricate nanosensors is necessary for fabricating the designed ‘smart’ nanosensors. Our goal is to develop a microfluidic-based platform to fabricate specific nanosensors for monitoring the cell status in cell therapy, such as Parkinson’s disease. We have incorporated nanosensors into microgel using the microfluidic platform to provide a better control on the size and structure of the nanosensors. This approach allows us to monitor cell viability, location and target secretory molecules, which is important for personalized treatment.
Cell therapy has shown promises in treating a number of neural diseases. Imaging of transplanted cells is still challenging in patients. One of the keys to facilitate the translation of cell therapy is to allow interactive treatment monitoring via imaging. Hence, a versatile platform to fabricate nanosensors is necessary for fabricating the designed ‘smart’ nanosensors. Our goal is to develop a microfluidic-based platform to fabricate specific nanosensors for monitoring the cell status in cell therapy, such as Parkinson’s disease. We have incorporated nanosensors into microgel using the microfluidic platform to provide a better control on the size and structure of the nanosensors. This approach allows us to monitor cell viability, location and target secretory molecules, which is important for personalized treatment.
3. Imaging biomarkers using CEST MRI for neural diseases
3. Imaging biomarkers using CEST MRI for neural diseases
Imaging biomarker refers to the detection of disease-related molecules via imaging approaches. CEST MRI is a unique contrast mechanism which detect the natural labels (i.e. exchangeable protons) on molecules. For example, the hydroxyl protons on glucose/glutamate molecules can be detected using CEST, we called this glucoCEST. Glucose/glutamate in our body either from exogenous or endogenous source can be detected using this sensitive imaging approach. Many molecules have been detected using CEST, and our lab focuses on the development and translation of CEST MRI to image biomarkers in neural diseases, such as dementia. We design specific imaging scheme to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of imaging biomarkers.
Imaging biomarker refers to the detection of disease-related molecules via imaging approaches. CEST MRI is a unique contrast mechanism which detect the natural labels (i.e. exchangeable protons) on molecules. For example, the hydroxyl protons on glucose/glutamate molecules can be detected using CEST, we called this glucoCEST. Glucose/glutamate in our body either from exogenous or endogenous source can be detected using this sensitive imaging approach. Many molecules have been detected using CEST, and our lab focuses on the development and translation of CEST MRI to image biomarkers in neural diseases, such as dementia. We design specific imaging scheme to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of imaging biomarkers.