In order to be able to treat diseases effectively, one must understand the connections and processes in the human body. The molecular diagnostics experts at the AIT Center for Health and Bioresources are finding innovative new ways to observe these processes at the smallest level and are developing completely new microscopy approaches in EU projects to revolutionize optical imaging with the help of nanotechnology.
The early detection of cancer, such as skin cancer, or the detection of retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness, are examples from medical practice that require the best possible optical imaging. Stefan Schrittwieser is an expert in this field and part of the biosensor group in the Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, he explains: “With our work we want to revolutionize optical imaging in the future. On the one hand, we want to generate high-contrast images and, on the other hand, make biological processes visible at the molecular level.”
Within the EU projects SWIMMOT and REAP, the group develops the scientific and technological bases for a completely new imaging. The new methods are based on nanoparticles, which are used as contrast media. These have special optical, magnetic and biological properties. In a first step, the physical properties of the nanoparticles are modelled, and optimal geometry and material data are determined as a result. Subsequently, multi-functional nanoparticles are fabricated and characterized in the laboratory. Furthermore, the group deals with the realization of novel magneto-optical instruments for optical imaging. In combination with the nanoparticles, the new optical imaging is developed.
Molecular imaging improves the understanding of processes in the human body and thus helps to identify diseases earlier and to develop new therapy concepts. In the specific projects, the researchers deal, for example, with therapy-resistant cancer cells that can cause a renewed tumour growth and disease relapse after treatment. In the context of diabetes research, one goal is to visualize those cells in the pancreas that are responsible for the production of insulin. This should help to understand the regeneration of these cells.
This work has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 899612 (SWIMMOT) and from the Photonics Public Private Partnership (PPP): H2020-ICT-2020-2 with Grant Agreement ID 101016964 (REAP).
Links to the project homepages:
www.swimmot.researchproject.at
www.projectreap.eu
