International Symposium 2024
Location:
VU AMSTERDAM | De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam
Date:
24 October 2024
The MEDPHOT programme (Photonics Translational Research – Medical Photonics) focusses on the development and validation of new optical biomarkers that are needed to realize earlier diagnosis, improved treatment and better quality of life in areas that will drive health care costs in the future: Oncology, Asthma and Neurodegeneration. The central scientific challenge in the program is to overcome the lack of discriminative ability of optical imaging that only relies on morphology. The goal is to develop the optical analogue of PET/CT or PET/MRI imaging with a 10-100 fold higher resolution.
To realize molecular sensitivity, the researchers will develop fluorescent markers for diseases, such as oesophageal cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, asthma and Alzheimer’s disease. These markers will bind to proteins or cell surface receptors are specific for the disease concerned and will light up if they are illuminated by a light source.
New technologies and imaging devices (smart needles and catheters) will be developed to image these markers endoscopically or transdermaly.