Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging FLIM of NAD(P)H: The Prospects for Tumor Diagnosis, Prognosis and Evaluation of Therapeutic Response

The Tissue Imaging and Spectroscopy Technical Group invites you to join them for a webinar series focused on recent advancements and future directions in fluorescence lifetime imaging modality (FLIM), from instrumentation, through data analysis to clinical work. This week’s webinar will feature a talk from Marina Shirmanova from Privolzhsky Research Medical University.

Abstract:

Fluorescence lifetime imaging modality (FLIM) based on time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) has proved to be a powerful approach to assess metabolic states of live cells and tissues. “Metabolic” FLIM is based on the time-resolved detection of autofluorescence of the redox cofactors the reduced NAD(P)H and oxidized FAD/FMN. FLIM can be implemented both on the microscopic level, using two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy, and on the macroscale, using macro-FLIM. Our studies are aimed at the development of methodologies of metabolic FLIM in order to translate it into clinical use. The possibilities of FLIM were explored on cultured cancer cells, animal tumor models and surgical specimens of patient’s tumors. We demonstrated that using FLIM of NAD(P)H it is possible to deliniate the differences between tumor and normal tissue. Specifically, macro-FLIM showed the potential to differentiate between glioma and the white matter of the brain. Using FLIM-microscopy, intra-tumor heterogeneity could be observed and quantified. It was found that the degree of cellular metabolic heterogeneity has the associations with tumor stage and the grade in colorectal cancer. FLIM of NAD(P)H is also sensitive to metabolic alterations induced by chemotherapy in cancer cells, and this can be used for personalized drug screen on patients’ derived cells.

What You Will Learn:

• Tumor differentiation using metabolic FLIM
• Significance of intra tumor heterogeneity and its associations with staging and grading in CRC
• How metabolic FLIM of NAD(P)H can is impacted by chemotherapy and how this can be used for personalized drug screening

Who Should Attend:

This webinar is ideal for students, researchers, and clinicians involved in cancer diagnostics, treatment planning, and personalized medicine, with interest in advanced imaging techniques for assessing tumor metabolism.

Subject Matter Level:

Intermediate - Assumes basic knowledge of the topic.

About Our Speakers

Marina Shirmanova

Privolzhsky Research Medical University

About Marina Shirmanova

Marina V. Shirmanova graduated from the Biology Department at Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, in 2005, and earned her Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics in 2009. Since 2006, she has been with Privolzhsky Research Medical University (formerly Nizhny Novgorod State Medical Academy) in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Currently, she serves as the Deputy Director of the Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies and heads the Laboratory of Fluorescence Bioimaging. Her research specializes in using fluorescence and phosphorescence techniques to study cancer at both sub-cellular and whole-tumor levels.