Experience scientists describe how they use iThera’s technologies

Both optoacoustic and optical imaging are biophotonic molecular imaging technologies. In terms of performance, optical imaging can serve as an easy-to-use screening tool with limited resolution and depth penetration, while optoacoustic imaging can probe biological questions in more detail and at greater depth. In this webinar, three scientists present on their use of these complementary imaging modalities in a very diverse range of preclinical applications.

Discover the utility of Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) for small animal imaging, with a particular focus on the synergies of MSOT with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In this webinar Dr. Mark ‘Marty’ Pagel, Professor at the Department of Cancer Systems Imaging of the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, presents both his work and the latest advances from other institutions worldwide showing the value of these complementary imaging modalities in preclinical research.

Optoacoustic imaging (OAI) is an innovative technique that facilitates the acquisition and analysis of structural, functional and molecular information in small animals. In OAI an animal is illuminated with pulsed laser light. Absorbance of light energy by tissue results in the emission of acoustic signals via the so-called 'photoacoustic effect' that describes the conversion of light energy into sound waves. Acoustic signals detected are then reconstructed to form a cross-sectional or volumetric image of light absorbance by the tissue of interest. This webinar focuses on the range of translational and multi-scale applications where biomedical research can benefit from OAI.

Poor spatial resolution of current imaging modalities often limits monitoring of both angiogenesis and outcome of vascular-targeted therapies. So far, a detailed evaluation has only been possible using invasive approaches. RSOM (raster-scanning optoacoustic mesoscopy) takes advantage of the intrinsic optical properties of hemoglobin, high-frequency laser illumination, and detection of a broad ultrasound bandwidth. This provides non-invasive, high-resolution images of differentsized tumor vessels and facilitates detailed insights into dynamic responses to novel vascular-targeted therapies.

The development of accurate, non-invasive, fast-binding imaging contrast agents tailored to a specific pathological biomarker will deliver to the researcher & clinician tools to gauge the severity and progression of disease. By targeting specific enzymatic pathways through the use of activatable probes, it is possible to increase sensitivity and specificity of detection which, when combined with an imaging technology such as Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT), can give great insights into areas such as organ toxicity and cancer. This webinar demonstrates how the optoacoustic effect can be used for imaging orthotopic tumors and for tumor biology investigation using activatable probes in combination with MSOT.

Understanding the fate of exogenous cells after implantation is important for clinical applications. Preclinical studies allow imaging of cell location and survival. Labelling with nanoparticles enables high sensitivity detection, but cell division and cell death cause signal dilution and false positives. By contrast, genetic reporter signals are amplified by cell division.This multimodal cell tracking approach could be applied widely for cancer and regenerative medicine research to monitor short- and long-term biodistribution, tumor formation and metastasis. This webinar focusses on the use of MSOT to address the following topics: - advantages and limitations of multimodal cell tracking approaches - tracking cells immediately after injection into the blood stream of a mouse - monitoring tumor growth over time using genetic reporters

Tumor vasculature is the main source for oxygen and nutrient supply into the tumor tissue as well as the first route for tumor proliferation and metastasis formation. Therefore, it is of great interest to obtain non-invasive and high-resolution images of the entire tumor vascular network, not only to diagnose and characterize tumors but also to monitor treatment outcomes. In this context, the new imaging modality RSOM (raster-scanning optoacoustic mesoscopy) can highly improve the way we monitor and evaluate tumor vascularization by using the endogenous contrast of hemoglobin.

Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) utilizes the photoacoustic effect to visualize and quantify anatomical, functional and molecular information, in vivo, in deep tissue and in real time. This webinar provides insights into how oxygen enhanced optoacoustic tomography (OE-OT), exploiting an oxygen gas challenge, visualizes the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of tumor vascular function.

Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) utilizes the photoacoustic effect to visualize and quantify anatomical, functional and molecular information, in vivo, in deep tissue and in real time. This webinar provides insights into how MSOT can be used for molecular imaging and specifically on recent findings from preclinical studies in orthotopic pancreatic tumor models.

Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) utilizes the photoacoustic effect to visualize and quantify anatomical, functional and molecular information, in vivo, in deep tissue and in real time. This webinar provides insights into how MSOT can be used to visualize and quantify probe biodistribution as well as clearance and related pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters.

Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) utilizes the photoacoustic effect to visualize and quantify anatomical, functional and molecular information, in vivo, in deep tissue and in real time. This webinar provides insights into how MSOT can be used to visualize and quantify processes related to cancer progression, both with intrinsic contrast and exogenous probes.

Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) utilizes the photoacoustic effect to visualize and quantify anatomical, functional and molecular information, in vivo, in deep tissue and in real time. Today, MSOT allows the study of disease processes on a molecular level as well as the analysis of pharmacokinetic and biodistribution properties for new substances in small animals. For the future, MSOT also promises to become a valuable tool for clinical diagnostics. This webinar provides an overview on MSOT technology as well as applications in preclinical research and an outlook towards clinical translation.

Lymphedema is a chronic and debilitating disorder affecting millions of people around the world. While typically managed well, there is a need for lymphatic surgery when conservative therapy fails. Optoacoustic imaging has the potential to be a useful tool to trace lymph vessels and differentiate them from the vascular network. In this webinar, Dr. Guido Giacalone, Head of the Department of Lymphatic Surgery at AZ Sint-Maarten Hospital (Mechelen, Belgium), outlines his work in the field and the use of MSOT for preoperative mapping of lymphatic and blood vessels.

Optoacoustic imaging (OAI) offers a unique method to study skin at depths and resolution beyond traditional optical techniques. The capacity to image morphological, vascular and biochemical changes in the skin could expand the understanding of pathophysiology and therapy response in a range of skin diseases including cancer and inflammation. In this webinar, Dr. Dinish U S, Group Leader, and Dr. Chris Ho, Business Development Manager, at the Singapore Bioimaging Consortium (SBIC) present their work using Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) and Raster-Scanning Optoacoustic Mesoscopy (RSOM).

Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are characterized by a change in muscle tissue composition, resulting in the loss of muscle function. Fibrotic changes lead to an increase in collagen concentration that can be quantified by Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT). In this webinar, Dr. med. Ferdinand Knieling, Pediatrician at the University Hospital Erlangen in Germany, presents on the cutting edge use of MSOT in the field of NMD.

Discover the utility of Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) for clinical vascular imaging with a particular focus on the use of MSOT to assess therapeutic efficacy in vascular malformation. Dr. Max Masthoff MD, MBA, Radiologist at the University Hospital Munster, presents his own work and highlights recent advances in the field.

Optoacoustic imaging (OAI) is an innovative technique that facilitates the acquisition and analysis of structural, functional and molecular information in small animals. In OAI an animal is illuminated with pulsed laser light. Absorbance of light energy by tissue results in the emission of acoustic signals via the so-called 'photoacoustic effect' that describes the conversion of light energy into sound waves. Acoustic signals detected are then reconstructed to form a cross-sectional or volumetric image of light absorbance by the tissue of interest. This webinar focuses on the range of translational and multi-scale applications where biomedical research can benefit from OAI.

Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) utilizes the photoacoustic effect to visualize and quantify anatomical, functional and molecular information, in vivo, in deep tissue and in real time. This webinar focusses on the use of MSOT in the clinic and addresses the following topics: - introduction to the new “MSOT Acuity" clinical scanner and overview on the range of potential clinical MSOT applications - data of the first clinical trial using MSOT, as published in 12/2015 in Science Translational Medicine. This clinical trial demonstrates the feasibility of using MSOT to detect sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and assess SLN status in malignant melanoma patients.