A comprehensive platform for low-cost screening and image-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) of pre-malignant and malignant oral lesions in low resource settings

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Project Summary The recently awarded U01 project entitled “A comprehensive platform for low-cost screening and image-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) of pre-malignant and malignant oral lesions in low resource settings” (U01 CA279862) seeks a diversity supplement to promote the career development of undergraduate student Sergio Farias. Mr. Farias works under the mentorship of Dr. Jonathan P. Celli, at UMass Boston. This supplement will enable him to investigate photobleaching as a quantitative and real-time reporter of photodynamic therapy (PDT) dose response. As noted in Specific Aim 2 of the competing proposal, the capability of the screen, image and treat optical system (SITOS), the core technology of this U01 proposal, is significant for its potential to provide a contemporaneous reporter of PDT dose deposited in tissue. Through this supplement Mr. Farias would investigate this systematically using tissue phantoms and 3D cell culture models as a platform to study real-time changes in photosensitizer fluorescence correlated with acute response and tumor regrowth. At the same time Mr. Farias will benefit from intensive mentorship and direct hands-on experience in cutting edge cancer research that will help him stand out in applications to competitive biomedical research graduate programs. Outside the lab he will continue to pursue his coursework, scientific and professional development seminars, and journal clubs.