Teresa Buragina (Carleton University)
“Application of multimodal coherent Raman microscopy for label-free investigation of nanoparticle uptake inside cells”
Applications of engineered nanomaterials is rapidly expanding in many fields such as drug delivery, medical diagnostic devices, and electronics. However, it is crucial to understand if the exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) can negatively impact human health. As a part of this effort, optical microscopic imaging studies can provide information on spatial distribution of NPs in exposed cells, and thus internalization of NPs by cells. Two-photon Excitation Fluorescence (TPEF) microscopy has frequently been used as a tool to investigate the uptake of NPs. However, TPEF imaging contrast is not sufficient to visualize most metal oxide NPs. Moreover, endogenous TPEF image contrast from biological samples is not sufficient to investigate the spatial co-localization of NPs. In contrast, stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy generates both a signal from metal oxide NPs and a strong resonant contrast from lipids and proteins in biological specimen containing the NPs.
In this work, we explore the potential of multimodal label-free SRS and TPEF imaging to study NP internalization by exposed human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and macrophage (J774) cells. These non-invasive techniques provide chemical and morphological information with sub-cellular resolution and inherent 3-D sectioning capability. Preliminary image analysis suggests that NPs are present and visible in most of the cells. Our ongoing work focuses on the co-registration of images to identify regions of NPs that correspond to stronger intensities of TPEF and SRS signals.
Ran Klein (The Ottawa Hospital)
“Theranostics – just nuke them”
Nuclear Medicine is undergoing a renaissance, largely due to advances in Theranostics. These applications use a molecule that targets a specific disease site and attach to it a radionuclide payload. Depending on the radionuclide the same molecule can be used to image the disease and/or deal it a fatal blow. However, as with many weapons, collateral damage is a competing risk that must be managed. This talk will introduce the concepts of theranostics, demonstrate current clinical applications, and highlight why physicist are about to become much more sought after in Nuclear Medicine.