High-resolution elastography – Using optical micro-imaging of tissue mechanics to identify disease. Optical elastography, the probing of tissue’s micro-mechanical properties using optical imaging, offers new tools in surgery and pathology to improve differentiation of tissues. This project lays the groundwork for optical elastography to become a new medical micro-imaging modality by removing impediments to progress in this rapidly emerging field. On the micro-scale, between the scales of cells a ....High-resolution elastography – Using optical micro-imaging of tissue mechanics to identify disease. Optical elastography, the probing of tissue’s micro-mechanical properties using optical imaging, offers new tools in surgery and pathology to improve differentiation of tissues. This project lays the groundwork for optical elastography to become a new medical micro-imaging modality by removing impediments to progress in this rapidly emerging field. On the micro-scale, between the scales of cells and organs. This project will elucidate the origins of tissue mechanical contrast and determine limits on its measurement. It will develop a suite of probes: noncontact, endoscopic and needle, to enable access to all tissues in the body. To progress toward a new modality and inform our research, the project will test our tools on breast cancer tissues and burn scars.Read moreRead less
Supercritical-microfluidics technology for targeted delivery to the colon. This research will develop nanosystems to target delivery of drugs to the colon. Our nanosystems will permit the combination of clinically used chemotherapy drugs within a single dosage form. This will improve the efficiency of delivery to the colon while reducing unwanted side-effects. A novel supercritical microfluidics system will be developed to produce therapeutic nano-carriers in a continuous mode with lower labour ....Supercritical-microfluidics technology for targeted delivery to the colon. This research will develop nanosystems to target delivery of drugs to the colon. Our nanosystems will permit the combination of clinically used chemotherapy drugs within a single dosage form. This will improve the efficiency of delivery to the colon while reducing unwanted side-effects. A novel supercritical microfluidics system will be developed to produce therapeutic nano-carriers in a continuous mode with lower labour requirement, higher production rate and better quality control than conventional production methods. The new process will combine benefits from both supercritical fluid technology (green process) and microfluidics (high mass & heat transfer).Read moreRead less
A new tool for comprehensive label-free micro-imaging of cancer in situ. This project aims to engineer a new micro-imaging tool for comprehensive characterisation of the tumour microenvironment in situ, including micro-morphology, microvasculature, extracellular matrix, local stiffness and the functional variables of pH, oxygen content and temperature. The project will provide accessible, label-free longitudinal monitoring of tumours in animal models of disease; thereby, reducing animal use, imp ....A new tool for comprehensive label-free micro-imaging of cancer in situ. This project aims to engineer a new micro-imaging tool for comprehensive characterisation of the tumour microenvironment in situ, including micro-morphology, microvasculature, extracellular matrix, local stiffness and the functional variables of pH, oxygen content and temperature. The project will provide accessible, label-free longitudinal monitoring of tumours in animal models of disease; thereby, reducing animal use, improving experimental power, and providing better micro-scale characterisation to underpin discovery and application in cancer biology. With potential for translation to humans and commercialisation, such a tool will ultimately contribute to improved diagnosis and treatment of cancer.Read moreRead less