Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) are two co-enzymes that are used in metabolic reactions. These molecules, NADH and FAD, are fluorescent which enables label-free imaging these molecules on fluorescence microscopes. The fluorescence intensity and lifetime of NADH and FAD provide information about these molecules and their use in cells. We …
Short pulses (ms to ms) of infrared light (1400-2100 nm) can excite action potentials in neurons; however, the mechanism driving this phenomenon is unknown. We are currently testing the hypothesis that infrared light alters the metabolic or redox balance of a cell. In support of our hypothesis, we have developed a model of infrared light …
Recent Publications: Currently, the activation of immune cells is assessed by label-based methods including flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Activated immune cells require high rates of glycolysis to maintain immune activities. Therefore, we are using fluorescence lifetime imaging of NAD(P)H and FAD which reports cellular metabolic information, to evaluate immune cell function. We have shown that the combination of machine …
Cell-based therapies harness functional cells or tissues to mediate healing and treat disease. These cells or cell products must be cultured and manufactured in a manner that maintains sterility and cell viability and function. Currently, methods that can assess the viability and function of cells are destructive and/or reply on contrast agents that are not compatible …
Tumor drug resistance due to heterogeneous cell populations remains a significant challenge for cancer treatment. Optical imaging of the fluorescence lifetimes of NADH and FAD, coenzymes of metabolism, can be used to track anti-cancer drug response in a label-free, non-contact manner. This imaging technique, “optical metabolic imaging,” can be performed on cancer cells and tumors …