Abstract: Non-linear optical (NLO) microscopy offers promising solutions for tissue imaging at sub-cellular level and it can provide both morphological and functional information in a label-free modality. The combination of NLO microscopy techniques providing morphological information, together with those providing functional information is a crucial issue for tissue classification and pathological assessment. In fact, an important feature in understanding the development of a tissue disease is the relationship between morphological features such as architecture, shape, symmetry, and function. The proper combination of NLO microscopy techniques in a morphochemical multimodal imaging approach can image and classify tissues in a fast, reliable, and label-free way. Multimodal non-linear imaging performs a morphochemical quantitative analysis in tissue specimens, providing a high-resolution label-free alternative to the standard histological and immunohistochemical examination of tissues. Although up to now limited to optical research labs, multimodal non-linear imaging is becoming increasingly popular among medical doctors and in the near future could be of standard use in a clinical setting. On the other hand, the growing need for more accurate, objective and faster diagnosis has driven researchers to combine digital imaging with routine diagnostics. The term “Digital Pathology” refers to clinical practice focused on the use of computer technology for the development of high-resolution images, from slides containing tissue samples. Although “Digital Pathology” is transforming diagnostic procedures, the largely used H&E staining allows morphological classification of tissues, while functional aspects require immunohistochemical procedures. In this project, we plan to combine the advantages offered by “Digital Pathology” with the capabilities of NLO microscopy to provide a label-free digital platform for the automatic analysis and diagnostics of bladder cancer specimens in a fast, objective, and reliable way.
INO’s Experiments/Theoretical Study correlated:
Multimodal microscopy for biological tissue imaging
The Scientific Results:
1) Non-linear imaging and characterization of atherosclerotic arterial tissue using combined two photon fluorescence, second-harmonic generation and CARS microscopy2) Characterization of collagen and cholesterol deposition in atherosclerotic arterial tissue using non-linear microscopy3) Multiphoton microscopy and SHG4) The New Digital Pathology: Just Say NLO5) Clinical Nonlinear Laser Imaging of Human Skin: A Review6) Multimodal nonlinear imaging of atherosclerotic plaques differentiation of triglyceride and cholesterol deposits7) Morpho-chemistry and functionality of diseased biological tissues
