By tagging medications (such as encapsulated liposomes) with fluorescent markers, scientists can monitor how long a drug stays in the bloodstream and whether it successfully reaches the tumor site. This is critical for improving the efficiency of chemotherapy. 3. Longitudinal Tumor Studies
Biological tissues naturally glow under certain light; the NIR range used by PearlCAM minimizes this "noise," resulting in much clearer images.
The system is a staple in laboratories focusing on translational medicine. Key use cases include: 1. Fluorescence-Guided Surgery PearlCAM
High-sensitivity detection of signals from within internal organs or deep-seated tumors.
Researchers use PearlCAM to test new "smart" dyes that attach specifically to cancer cells. By viewing the animal through the Pearl system, surgeons can practice identifying tumor margins that would be invisible to the naked eye. Washington University has utilized this for foundations in translational imaging. 2. Drug Delivery Tracking By tagging medications (such as encapsulated liposomes) with
The software quantifies the signal intensity, allowing researchers to say exactly how much of a drug reached the target compared to healthy tissue. 🌟 Why It Matters
In the rapidly evolving landscape of cancer research, the ability to visualize biological processes in real-time within living organisms is paramount. PearlCAM (and the associated Pearl imaging systems) serves as a bridge between laboratory benchwork and clinical application, providing researchers with a non-invasive look at tumor progression and drug delivery. 🔬 Core Technology Unlike visible light
PearlCAM is the proprietary interface used to capture and analyze high-resolution images in the spectrum. Unlike visible light, NIR light can penetrate several centimeters into biological tissue, allowing for: