Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

New methods are being developed to optically characterize biomaterials, tissues and tissue engineered modules. These methods include more conventional methods that rely on optical scattering and absorption such as near infrared imaging, and novel methods that include photoacoustic imaging. Moreover, small nanoparticles are being developed as contrast agents that would be used with the methods mentioned above to detect tumors early and to then treat them. The biomedical optics group at Ryerson University added two new faculty members this year that heavily rely on knowing the optical properties of the materials examined. In this grant, a high-end spectrophotometer is requested to achieve the measurement of the optical properties of biomaterials and tissue engineered modules. The instrument has sufficient sensitivity to detect light from materials that either greatly reduce the light intensity or do not change it at all, but also more importantly would be able to make the measurement for many different wavelengths of light. These attributes will greatly expand the range of experimental conditions that can be used optically characterize the biomaterials and tissue engineered constructs. Therefore, it is anticipated that the instrument will help many graduate students and highly qualified personnel in making the measurements required to understand the optical properties of the biomaterials being used.