GCSP research stipend | Spring 2024

Nano Contrast Agents in Photoacoustic Imaging: In Vitro and Ex Vivo Insights

This study investigates using indocyanine green (ICG) and locked nucleic acid-indocyanine green (LNA-ICG) as contrast agents in photoacoustic imaging. In vitro analysis involves imaging ICG and LNA ICG samples in sample tubes that are immersed in either water or embedded in agarose gel. Ex vivo analysis involves injection of LNA-ICG into a rat brain, then fixing the brain in agarose for imaging. Results suggest that LNA-ICG can effectively serve as a contrast agent for imaging of biological tissue, demonstrating potential for minimally invasive, high-contrast visualization in photoacoustic imaging. This research provides insights into optimizing photoacoustic imaging techniques.