Endoscopic optical imaging to study early cancer development
Optical methods of investigating tissue have the advantages of high sensitivity, high resolution, relatively low cost, and ability to sense both structural and biochemical characteristics of tissue. The limited penetration depth of light can be partially offset by endoscopic delivery using small-diameter fiber optics. Optical techniques hold the promise of directing, minimizing, or perhaps even eliminating traditional destructive biopsy by providing diagnostic information in a harmless manner.
I will discuss two complimentary optical modalities: optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescence spectroscopy (FS), which provide micron-scale cross-sectional imaging and information about the concentration and distribution of fluorophores, respectively. My group has developed instrumentation (particularly miniature endoscopes) and image analysis techniques for OCT and combined OCT/FS. While relevant to variety of medical conditions, we have applied these tools primarily to clinical and pre-clinical studies of skin, colon, and ovarian cancer. Intriguing images of early stage cancer have been obtained with OCT, while FS has provided information both on the metabolic activity of the tissue and possible confounders in OCT. I will end the seminar by discussing future possibilities for these optical techniques.
Jennifer Barton received the BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and University of California Irvine, respectively. She worked for McDonnell Douglas on the Space Station program before returning to The University of Texas at Austin to obtain the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering in 1998. She is currently Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona.
Barton is known for her development of miniature endoscopes that combine two novel imaging techniques: optical coherence tomography and fluorescence spectroscopy. She also evaluates the suitability of these optical techniques for detecting early cancer development in patients and pre-clinical models. Her research into light-tissue interaction and dynamic optical properties of blood laid the groundwork for a novel therapeutic laser to treat disorders of the skin’s blood vessels. She has published over 80 peer-reviewed journal papers in these research areas.
Barton is Assistant Director of the BIO5 Institute, a collaborative research institute dedicated to solving complex biology-based problems affecting humanity. She is inaugural Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. She is a fellow and board member of SPIE- the International Optics Society, and a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.
