Event
BIOE Seminar: Short-wave infrared optical imaging for biomedical applications
Friday, September 29, 2023
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
A. James Clark Hall, Room #2121
Jenna Mueller
mueller7@umd.edu
Dr. Mark C. Pierce
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Short-wave infrared optical imaging for biomedical applications
Abstract
Optical imaging has traditionally used light with wavelengths in the visible (400-700 nm) and near-infrared (700-900 nm) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Short-wave infrared (SWIR, 900-1700 nm) light has several advantages for biomedical applications. SWIR light scatters less within tissue resulting in sharper images. Tissue autofluorescence is negligible in the SWIR region, minimizing background light and improving contrast. Tissue components including water, fat, and collagen exhibit absorption bands in the SWIR region, allowing for their quantification. Our lab is developing SWIR imaging techniques and contrast agents for preclinical and clinical applications. This presentation will introduce the potential benefits of SWIR imaging, demonstrate imaging of native tissue components in human subjects, and describe the development and application of rare-earth doped nanoparticle contrast agents which can target molecular biomarkers for imaging at SWIR wavelengths.
Speaker Bio
Mark Pierce obtained the B.S. degree in physics from the University of Manchester (UK) and obtained the Ph.D. degree in biomedical optics from the same institution. He completed post-doctoral training at Wellman Laboratories / Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, then became a member of the Research Faculty at Rice University in Houston. He is currently an associate professor at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey where his lab focuses on development and translation of optical imaging methods for biomedical applications.