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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
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Fluorescence Lifetime Macro Imager for Biomedical Applications
Published on: April 7, 2023
Fluorescence lifetime imaging system for in vivo studies
Moinuddin Hassan1, Jason Riley, Victor Chernomordik
1Laboratory of Integrative and Medical Biophysics, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. hassanm@mail.nih.gov
Molecular Imaging
|August 23, 2007
Summary
This study presents a novel fluorescence lifetime imaging system for small animal tumor detection. The system uses Alexa Fluor 750 to monitor tumor progression and physiological changes, showing promise for early cancer diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Medical Imaging
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) offers potential for non-invasive tumor detection.
- Developing sensitive and specific fluorescent markers is crucial for early cancer diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a FLIM system for small animal imaging.
- To assess the utility of Alexa Fluor 750 as a contrast agent for tumor localization and progression monitoring.
- To investigate the influence of physiological parameters on fluorescence lifetime.
Main Methods:
- A fluorescence lifetime imaging system utilizing a linear fiber array was developed.
- Data acquisition involved scanning regions of interest in small animals.
- Phantom experiments were conducted to analyze photon migration effects on fluorescence lifetime.
- In vivo mouse imaging was performed using Alexa Fluor 750 conjugated to tumor-specific antibodies.
Main Results:
- Alexa Fluor 750's fluorescence lifetime demonstrated sensitivity to environmental factors like pH.
- Experimental data supported a theoretical model of photon migration effects on fluorescence lifetime.
- Three-dimensional mapping revealed lower fluorescence lifetime values in superficial mouse breast cancer tumors.
Conclusions:
- The developed FLIM system is effective for in vivo small animal imaging.
- Alexa Fluor 750 shows promise as a contrast agent for detecting physiological changes and localizing tumors.
- FLIM can provide valuable information for monitoring tumor progression and guiding cancer diagnosis.
