Molecular Imaging
Imaging is a key pillar upon which modern medicine is built. In our lab, we utilize advanced imaging technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT), optical imaging (OI) and multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) to visualize and glean molecular information about cancer and other diseases.
By developing quantitative imaging methods and precise molecular tracers, we aim to improve early disease detection, assess molecular and functional changes in the disease microenvironment, visualize and quantify pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of novel and established therapies, measure immunological responses, determine the onset of treatment action and asses its efficacy, all in living systems at high spatio-temporal resolution.
Representative publications:
- Goel S, et al. Sequential deconstruction of composite drug transport in metastatic breast cancer. Sci Adv. 2020. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aba4498. [PubMed]
- Shi S, et al. PET Imaging of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with 64Cu-Labeled Anti-CD105 Antibody Fab Fragment. J Nucl Med. 2015. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.114.153098. [PubMed]
Novel Therapeutics
We develop nanoparticles and biologics such as antibody fragments and peptides to explore new opportunities in advancing therapies for cancer and other diseases.
Representative Publications:
- Luo H..Shi S, et al. Dual Targeting of Tissue Factor and CD105 for Preclinical PET Imaging of Pancreatic Cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2016. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-15-2054. [PubMed]
- Goel S, et al. Engineering Intrinsically Zirconium-89 Radiolabeled Self-Destructing Mesoporous Silica Nanostructures for In Vivo Biodistribution and Tumor Targeting Studies. Adv Sci. 2016. doi: 10.1002/advs.201600122. [PubMed]
Theranostics
Theranostics is a relatively new field that allows us to bring together our expertise in imaging and therapeutics by developing constructs with dual functionality - imaging and therapy. By doing this, we can evaluate and assess a tumor while treating it simultaneously. This is advantageous as we can leverage a single injection to accomplish multiple goals. It also allows us to gain a better understanding of the treatment localization to the tumor and tailor it for lower off target effects.
Representative Publications:
- Goel S, et al. Activatable Hybrid Nanotheranostics for Tetramodal Imaging and Synergistic Photothermal/ Photodynamic Therapy. Adv Mater. 2018. doi: 10.1002/adma.201704367. [PubMed]
- Ferreira CA, Goel S, et al. Ultrasmall Porous Silica Nanoparticles with Enhanced Pharmacokinetics for Cancer Theranostics. Nano Lett. 2021. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c00895. [PubMed]
