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.
Student researcher
Era Joy Padilla Agus
Biomedical engineering
Hometown: Quezon City, National Capital Region, Philippines
Graduation date: Spring 2024