Description of Research Expertise

Research Interest Summary:
The main interest of this group is the non invasive detection of metabolic changes that occur during tumor development and in response to anticancer drugs in models of human breast cancer. We employ a number of imaging modalities that include near infrared fluorescence optical imaging, MRI and MRS, PET and Cerenkov imaging. We have an active program in the design, synthesis and characterization of NIR optical contrast agents for the detection of phospholipase and choline kinase expression and activity in tumors and for the detection of pH and redox changes in the tumor microenvironment. Changes in lipid metabolite levels are monitored using MRS to determine potential biochemical markers for the detection of tumors and their early response to therapy and correlated with near-infrared optical imaging using enzyme-activated fluorescent contrast agents to detect enzyme activity in situ. We are pioneering the development of Cerenkov imaging by creating novel radiolabeled probes suitable for determining both location and function using dual PET and optical imaging.