Dr. Choi is Director of the Bioengineering & Nanomedicine Program (BENMD) of MGH. The BENMD Program has been trying to solve an important clinical problem “curing cancer” by applying the first principles from chemistry and engineering. To achieve this goal, we have assembled a multi-disciplinary team of researchers including chemists, engineers, biologists, physicists, and surgeons. This is a very unique environment, where experts from several fields come together and work together to achieve the same goal.

Our BENMD Program is currently developing novel nanoscale bioimaging technology for diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. In order to fulfill our goal of biological and functional imaging deep in the body (brain, thoracic & abdominal cavity), we are approaching the problem through two directions. First, we are working with near-infrared fluorescence-based bioimaging devices in mesoscale tissue environments to understand the detailed function of targeted drugs in the body. Second, we are tailoring tissue-specific contrast agents to improve their targeting efficacy to human diseases including cancers and inflammatory diseases. Our “Structure-Inherent Targeting” concept proves that subtle variations in chemical structure result in large changes in pharmacokinetics (biodistribution and clearance) and pharmacodynamics of a drug.  

Together, our BENMD Program takes a lead in imaging technology development that permits anatomy and function to be visualized simultaneously, in real time, with high sensitivity and specificity. At the Gordon Center for Medical Imaging of MGH, we will combine our optical imaging technology with nuclear medicine and other medical imaging modalities, we will be able to change the face of human cancer surgery and treatment.