IntraOptix

Department                             Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery

Principal investigator          Hamed Abbasi

E-mail address                      h.abbasi@erasmusmc.nl

Website                                     https://www.erasmusmc.nl/en/research/researchers/abbasi-hamed

Development of a Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging System for Tumor Margin Assessment

Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) is an optical technique that measures the time a fluorophore remains in its excited state before emitting a photon. In a clinical setting, this approach provides image contrast based on tissue biochemistry rather than fluorophore concentration, making it suitable for distinguishing tumor tissue from healthy tissue. The project begins with the design of a lifetime imaging system for cancer detection, then proceeds to an experimental phase focused on assembling an optical imaging system to measure the fluorescence lifetime of clinical samples. The project also includes image analysis and evaluation of correlations with histopathology. It is well-suited as a Master’s End Project (MEP) for a Nanobiology student.

Further reading (click to link to article)

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-023-01105-2

Investigating the Link Between Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Lifetime and Tumor Microenvironment: an in vitro study

Indocyanine green (ICG) is a clinically approved fluorescence tracer widely used to help surgeons visualize cancerous cells through fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM). However, the relationship between ICG fluorescence lifetime and the tumor microenvironment remains poorly understood. This project aims to investigate how physiological factors influence ICG fluorescence lifetimes, generating new theoretical insights into how environmental conditions shape fluorescence behavior and, ultimately, tissue characterization. The study will systematically examine changes in ICG fluorescence lifetime in response to controlled variations in biological and physical conditions. Experiments will include measuring ICG lifetime in live cancer cell lines and in formalin-fixed cells, with a focus on pH, viscosity, and serum protein binding. Normal epithelial cells will serve as controls. The effect of oxygen levels on ICG lifetime will also be assessed using hypoxia incubators with varying oxygen concentrations. This project provides an excellent opportunity for a Nanobiology Master’s student to combine experimental work with theoretical analysis, contributing to a deeper understanding of FLIM as a tool for characterizing the tumor microenvironment.

Further reading (click to link to article)

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-023-01105-2

A Phantom Study for Exploring the Relationship Between Environmental Factors and Fluorescence Lifetime of Indocyanine Green (ICG)

Indocyanine green (ICG) is a fluorescence tracer that helps surgeons visualize metastatic cells using fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM). However, the relation between the fluorescence lifetime and tumor microenvironment is not yet fully understood. This project will study how physiological conditions affect fluorescence lifetimes. The focus is on acquiring new knowledge about the relationship between environmental factors and fluorescence properties, providing insights into tissue characterization. The project involves developing phantoms and examining the relationship between ICG fluorescence lifetime and liquid phantom properties by altering pH (using PBS and ethanol) and viscosity (using glycerol and PBS). Assess serum protein binding in different DMEM/FBS environments and measure the effect of oxygen levels on ICG lifetime under N2 purging. The project is well-suited as a Bachelor’s End project for a Nanobiology student.

Further reading (click to link to article)

https://opg.optica.org/boe/fulltext.cfm?uri=boe-16-9-3553