Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

We propose research in the area of in vivo molecular imaging, a recent paradigm to visualize and quantify cellular and biomolecular processes in whole living and intact organisms. A first objective is to develop optical imaging technology that will allow obtaining three-dimensional images of such processes in laboratory mice, which play a fundamental role in the development of new therapies for diseases of human concern, but also in our understanding of such diseases (e.g. cancer). To achieve this, we will upgrade a small animal imaging system developed by our industrial partner (QUIDD) involved in the project by endowing it with tomographic capabilities. Tomography is a technique that allows non-invasive imaging inside the body of a living organism, i.e. without inducing damage. Particularly attractive is that this is achieved via measurements made outside the organism without disturbing it. Here, we more specifically resort to fluorescence diffuse optical tomography (FDOT) and disease markers that fluoresce (i.e. that reemit light after being themselves exposed to light) to pinpoint specific biomolecular/cellular processes. To serve this purpose, the imaging technology we develop will become an important tool to the biologist and medical researcher. Even more powerful will be to combine FDOT with other biomedical imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Another objective of our research is to develop techniques enabling to merge FDOT with PET and MRI in a single imaging system, hence achieving multi-modal imaging. Finally, the research will also contribute to the development and validation of bimodal markers (fluorescent/radioactive for FDOT/PET imaging and fluorescent/magnetic for FDOT/MRI imaging). Our team has collectively a strong expertise in different areas of such transdisciplinary work, along with state-of-the-art infrastructures to carry this research. Important outcomes of our work will be to train highly qualified personnel in this promising and exciting field of high relevance to the health of Canadians, and a priority for Canada's economic wealth.