Analyzing the possible water-soluble proteins for deep-tissue and cancer-targeting in vivo imaging using a photoacoustic imaging system
Project Description
Currently, for cancer diagnosis, the most commonly used methods are (i) ultrasound imaging, (ii) X-ray imaging, and (iii) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While all these technologies are widely used all over the world, each of them suffers from different disadvantages. Ultrasound imaging has a long history of speckle-like artifact and low molecular specificity, which can only outline different layer structures with low resolution and contrast. X-ray imaging is good at imaging hard tissue (e.g., bones), but its specificity towards cancer imaging is skeptical, not to mention its ionizing radiation nature. MRI is one of the most powerful imaging technologies. However, the cost of the imaging machine is high, which is not affordable and not accessible to many patients. Furthermore, the most commonly used contrast agent in MRI, gadolinium, has recently been showed that there is some deposition in the brain. Although there is no clear evidence showing it is harmful to patients, this can potentially cause unexpected neurodegenerative diseases in the future.

To address this need, our proposed photoacoustic imaging system (which combines the advantages of both light and sound) allows non-invasive, high-speed, and deep-tissue imaging in vivo. Together with the development of a safe and specific contrast agent based on proteins, the proposed photoacoustic imaging system allows safe, fast, high resolution, and specific imaging in a cost-effective manner.
Supervisor
WONG Tsz Wai
Quota
2
Course type
UROP1100
UROP2100
Applicant's Roles
In this project, students will be focusing on analyzing what are the possible water-solution proteins that can be integrated with photoacoustic imaging that can provide safe deep-tissue and cancer-targeting in vivo imaging.
Applicant's Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- To learn how to carry out a literature review
- To learn what are the differences between different imaging modality
- To learn what are the key elements of the water-soluble proteins so that they can be used for this mentioned purpose
Complexity of the project
Challenging