Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of Alberta
$90,634.00
Whole-body tomographic molecular imaging of SERS nanoparticles
FY 2008-09
Summary
Imaging techniques are begining to be applied to study biochemical processes in the body in a field called molecular imaging. One way in which molecular imaging is performed is to inject an optically fluorescent dye into the body, which is designed to stick to some molecules unique to a particular diseases such as cancer. The dye will emit light when a laser is used to illuminate the surface of the body. Often these experiments are done in small animals so as to provide insights into biological diseases processes in a controlled way. Fluorescent imaging techniques unfortunately have a limitation in that only a limited number of colors (2 or 3) can be detected with current methods. However, there is a need to study many more molecular targets than this simultaneously.
Recently a new type of optical nanoparticle has emerged based on a phenomenon called surface-enhanced Raman scattering. Due to careful nanoengineering, these particles scatter light from an incident laser beam in a spectrum with a spectral fingerprint unique to molecules included on a metal core of the nanoparticle. This spectral fingerprint can be used to classify the nanoparticles from a mixture. Due to the surface-enhanced Raman effect, the strength of light emitted from these nanoparticles is comparable to fluorescence. These nanoparticles have been detected and identified in live mice in deep tissues with very high sensitivity. This means that only a low concentration of particles is required in the body to produce a detectable signature. Large numbers of species of such particles could be used in living subjects to track several biological processes simultaneously. Unfortunately, the present instrumentation for visualizing the distribution of these particles can only provide a 2-D view with limited spatial resolution.
We propose developing a unique instrument to image the distribution of these SERS-nanoparticles, enabling spectral classification of the particle types. This system may offer biologists a new tool for studying biochemical pathways in living subjects, and should impact the treatment and understanding of many diseases.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
375340-2009
Name nom
Zemp, Roger
Department département
Engineering, Faculty of
Organization id
9
Institution établissement
University of Alberta
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2008
Competition year année de concours
2009
Award amount
90634
Program id
EQPEQ
Program nane en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
21
Committee name en
Interdisciplinary
Committee name fr
Interdisciplinaire
Area of application code
1102
Area of application group en
Health, education and social services
Area of application group fr
Santé publique, éducation et services sociaux
Area of application en
Biomedical engineering
Area of application fr
Génie biomédical
Research subject code
1900
Research subject group en
Biomedical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie biomédical
Research subject en
Biomedical engineering
Research subject fr
Génie biomédical
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Whole-body tomographic molecular imaging of SERS nanoparticles
Keyword
NA
Application summary
Imaging techniques are begining to be applied to study biochemical processes in the body in a field called molecular imaging. One way in which molecular imaging is performed is to inject an optically fluorescent dye into the body, which is designed to stick to some molecules unique to a particular diseases such as cancer. The dye will emit light when a laser is used to illuminate the surface of the body. Often these experiments are done in small animals so as to provide insights into biological diseases processes in a controlled way. Fluorescent imaging techniques unfortunately have a limitation in that only a limited number of colors (2 or 3) can be detected with current methods. However, there is a need to study many more molecular targets than this simultaneously.
Recently a new type of optical nanoparticle has emerged based on a phenomenon called surface-enhanced Raman scattering. Due to careful nanoengineering, these particles scatter light from an incident laser beam in a spectrum with a spectral fingerprint unique to molecules included on a metal core of the nanoparticle. This spectral fingerprint can be used to classify the nanoparticles from a mixture. Due to the surface-enhanced Raman effect, the strength of light emitted from these nanoparticles is comparable to fluorescence. These nanoparticles have been detected and identified in live mice in deep tissues with very high sensitivity. This means that only a low concentration of particles is required in the body to produce a detectable signature. Large numbers of species of such particles could be used in living subjects to track several biological processes simultaneously. Unfortunately, the present instrumentation for visualizing the distribution of these particles can only provide a 2-D view with limited spatial resolution.
We propose developing a unique instrument to image the distribution of these SERS-nanoparticles, enabling spectral classification of the particle types. This system may offer biologists a new tool for studying biochemical pathways in living subjects, and should impact the treatment and understanding of many diseases.
