Exploring new optical diagnostic techniques of skin cancer

• Grant number: 15/25908-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Duration: February 01, 2016 - March 25, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Medical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Grantee: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Visiting researcher: Janis Spigulis
• Visiting researcher institution: University of Latvia, Latvia
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

The Brazilian host institution of this proposal will be the Laboratory of Biophotonics, Optics Group, São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo. The group has been focusing on PDT and Optical Diagnostics for cancer and infectious diseases. Research areas of expertise are; widefield fluorescence imaging, fluorescence spectroscopy, multiphoton microscopy, PDT for cancer and infection diseases, low-level therapy, laser ablation at ultrashort pulses, among others. Instrumentation development of optical devices and their evaluation at animal and clinical studies have resulted in bench-to-clinical translation for PDT applications at skin cancer, cervical intraneoplasia and HPV-related lesions. The Brazilian group has several collaborations with clinical research institutions, allowing an improved translation of the experimental work and the detection of the medical sciences needs. Prof. Janis Spigulis has a background in atomic spectroscopy, optoelectronics, fibre optics and biophotonics research. He develop novel optical methods and devices for non-invasive diagnostics and monitoring of human health condition. Spectral, temporal and imaging analysis of optical signals from in-vivo skin may ensure quantitave assessment of cardio-vascular state, skin blood micro-circulation, skin pigmentation and various skin malformations. The techniques developed in laboratory and evaluated in clinical studies are photoplethysmography (PPG), fluorescence, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and multi-spectral imaging. The expected outcomes of our research are advanced clinical technologies, such as: Fast detection of leg stenosis by bilateral PPG; Remote cardiovascular monitoring by embedded wireless PPG sensors; Remote skin blood perfusion control during anesthesia by PPG imaging; Remote skin chromophore mapping by multi-spectral imaging analysis; Remote skin melanoma detection by chromophore correlation analysis and parametric imaging; Improved skin laser safety standards with respect to skin "photo-memory" at low power irradiation. Through this proven expertise Prof. Janis Spigulis will in particular contribute to the development of the following research projects: Fluorescence spectroscopy for the diagnosis of similar clinically skin lesions; Time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy for in vivo studies; Fluorescence Spectroscopy teeth in ovariectomized rats for the diagnosis of osteoporosis; Improvement and optical characterization of a fluorescent microendoscope adapted to smartphone; Compact FLIM system, multi-spectral and high speed for in vivo imaging; infrared detection to diagnosis of non-deep tumors; model photosensitizers transport in cells by confocal microscopy. (AU)