Investigation of Hemoglobin Oxygenation With Third Harmonic Generation Microscopy

Recently, oximeter, detecting the spectral response at wavelengths of 660nm and 940nm, is widely used to measured oxygenation status. Its low spatial resolution and limited penetration depth in human skin, however, restrict the oximeter in clinical application especially for early detection of cancer. In early-stage cancer development, angiogenesis and oxygen depletion around tumor are two important indicators of tumor growth. If an angiogenesis and low oxygenation status can be identified simultaneously, the investigators can point out the early-stage tumor from normal tissue easily. The investigators have been working towards the development of third harmonic generation microscopy systems and reported the success of revealing morphology in human skin specimen. Since THG process is based on virtual transition without energy deposition, THG microscopy enables imaging ex vivo specimens without extra label and invasive procedure. To further investigate biological process of biomaterials, the investigators develop a srTHGM where THG spectrum is partitioned to analyze during imaging process. In this project, the investigators aim to elucidate oxygenation concentration and other specific biological molecular of red blood cells through the srTHG microscopy system. The abilities to reveal structure morphology and its corresponding biological information in situ would provide assistance to diagnose early-stage of tumor and other diseases as well as a potential support in clinical treatment.