Multi-Modality Molecular Imaging and Nanotechnology in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics

Molecular imaging is paving the way in understanding living systems in health and disease in their native state.  The fuel for molecular imaging is the rapid advances in cell and molecular biology, genomics and proteomics as well as significant advances in the imaging science and nanotechnology. The Center for Molecular Imaging (www.molecularimaging.vcu.edu) at VCU utilizes various imaging technologies (PET/CT, SPECT/CT, MRI/MRS and Optical Imaging), to study progression of tumorgenesis and the working of therapies within the intact in vivo environment.

The seminar will cover molecular and nanotechnology imaging research in cancer biology and therapeutics. The emphasis is on marrying molecular imaging with nanotechnology and how this combination is being exploited in nano-based imaging and potential therapeutics. Research in hybrid probe development for tumor and microenvironment targeting is a focus of this multimodality research. These platforms are being exploited for targeted imaging, drug delivery and potential image guided surgery and nanotherapy. Translational Molecular imaging of tumor microenvironment, including metabolism, cell death, angiogenesis, proliferation and hypoxia will be demonstrated. Molecular imaging of cell homing within the context of adoptive immune-based therapy will also be presented.