Revolutionizing biomedical discovery with multi-spectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT)

Optical imaging is unequivocally the most versatile and widely used visualization modality in clinical practice and life sciences research. In recent years, advances in photonic technologies and image formation methods have received particular attention in biological research and the drug discovery process for non-invasively revealing information on the molecular basis of disease and treatment. An increasing availability of endogenous reporters such as fluorescent proteins and probes with physiological and molecular specificity enable insights to cellular and sub-cellular processes through entire small animals, embryos, fish and insects and have revolutionized the role of imaging on the laboratory bench, well beyond the capability of conventional microscopy. This talk describes current progress with instruments and methods for in-vivo photonic tomography of whole intact animals and model biological organisms. We show how new tomographic concepts are necessary for accurate and quantitative molecular investigations in tissues and why it could be potentially a valuable tool for accelerated investigations of therapeutic efficacy and outcome. We further demonstrate that cellular function and bio-chemical changes can be detected in-vivo, through intact tissues at high sensitivity and molecular specificity. Examples of imaging enzyme up-regulation, carcinogenesis and gene-expression are given. The potential for clinical translation is further outlined. Limitations of the method and future directions are also discussed.