LIGHTS ON: Molecular Imaging of disease dynamics in vivo

Biomedical science as well as modern biology heavily relies on simultaneous qualitative and quantitative assessments of dynamic molecular events inside living systems. Analytical interpretations’ using quantitative molecular imaging (MI) supported by a variety of miniaturized biomedical imaging tools suitable for preclinical application has empowered modern research. In oncology research, the role played by such preclinical medical imaging tools for defining therapeutic efficacies of various concept medicines is immense. The imaging approaches developed can have important implications on a wide variety of biological research endeavours including drug discovery and molecular medicine. In this specific area of research focus, my group is working to develop a thorough understanding of how proteins function in live cell milieu and contribute to the signaling regulation of cancer cells. For subjective analysis of known interactors, by obtaining purified and well-characterized proteins, one can determine their biophysical parameters such as kinetic rate constants, the oligomeric state of the interaction partners and the stoichiometric ratio in the complex. However, when one has to identify the protein interaction partners and gather a detailed understanding of PPIs at the molecular and cellular context, physiological screening techniques that can operate in live cell environment are required. Therefore, for a thorough understanding of PPIs in normal and diseased biology, we require technologies that offer options for both in vitro as well as in vivo assessment to speed up this epic task. This presentation will focus on molecular reporter imaging technologies to reveal in vivo dynamics of molecular functions developed using optical reporters.

october 3, 2019