Wilhelmina Petersen

Raman and Fluorescence Spectral Imaging of Live Breast Cancer Cells Incubated with PEGylated Gold Nanorods

The optical properties of PEGylated gold nanorods (PEG-GNR) in interaction with cells have been investigated with Raman and fluorescence microspectroscopic imaging. The emission spectra were compared with those from dispersions of GNR, which can be characterized by a broad emission bandwidth of approximately 60 nm with a band maximum around 675 nm. These properties are in good agreement with observations from various other gold substrates and (nano)particles. The emission spectra from cells incubated with PEG-GNR were dominated by Raman scattering from locations where no GNR were present. Intense fluorescence spectral lines, with peak amplitude comparable with the Raman scattering from cells, were observed from locations containing GNR. The frequency range of the fluorescence emission spectra coincided mainly with the Raman fingerprint region from 500 cm−1 to 1800 cm−1, excited by the laser emission line at 647.1 nm. No surface-enhanced Raman spectra were observed. It was furthermore observed from cluster analysis of the Raman and fluorescence hyperspectral datasets that the GNR-related integrated fluorescence emission band from an individual cell could be sub-divided in multiple bands with slightly varying band maxima. Raman difference spectra of cells with GNR minus control cells showed that the amplitude of lipid signal in cells incubated with PEG-GNR was increased. An excellent correlation was found between the increased lipid signals and locations of the nanorods. This positive correlation between Raman signals from lipids and fluorescence signals from gold nanorods supports that gold nanorods are locally accumulating in lipid vesicles within the cells.

Quantitative blood oxygen saturation imaging using combined photoacoustics and acousto-optics

In photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), wavelength dependent optical attenuation of biological tissue presents a challenge to measure the absolute oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (sO2). Here, we employ the combination of photoacoustics and acousto-optics (AO) at two optical wavelengths to achieve quantification, where AO serves as a sensor for the relative local fluence. We demonstrate that our method enables compensation of spatial as well as wavelength dependent fluence variations in PAS without a priori knowledge about the optical properties of the medium. The fluence compensated photoacoustic images at two excitation wavelengths are used to estimate the absolute oxygen saturation of blood in a spatially and spectroscopically heterogeneous phantom.

Photoacoustic measurement of the Grüneisen parameter using an integrating sphere

A method that uses an integrating sphere as a platform for photoacoustic measurement of the Grüneisen parameter Γ of absorbing liquids is developed. Derivation of a simple equation for determining Γ is presented. This equation only requires the voltage peak-to-peak value of the photoacoustic signal detected by a flat transducer and the relative energy of the incident light measured by a photodetector. Absolute detector sensitivities are not required. However, a calibration procedure is necessary. An experimental setup is constructed in order to implement and verify the method. Aqueous ink solutions are used as absorbing liquids to determine the calibration (instrument) constants. Validation of the equation is done by determining Γ of ethanol at room temperature. The obtained value of Γ(ethanol) = 0.72 ± 0.06 has a 7% relative difference to the calculated value from known thermal properties reported in literature.

Quantitative detection of gold nanoparticles on individual, unstained cancer cells by scanning electron microscopy

Gold nanoparticles are rapidly emerging for use in biomedical applications. Characterization of the interaction and delivery of nanoparticles to cells through microscopy is important. Scanning electron microscopes have the intrinsic resolution to visualize gold nanoparticles on cells. A novel sample preparation protocol was developed to enable imaging of cells and gold nanoparticles with a conventional below lens scanning electron microscopes. The negative influence of ‘charging’ on the quality of scanning electron microscopes’ images could be limited by deposition of biological cells on a conductive (gold) surface. The novel protocol enabled high‐resolution scanning electron microscopes’ imaging of small clusters and individual gold nanoparticles on uncoated cell surfaces. Gold nanoparticles could be counted on cancer cells with automated routines.

Photoacoustic guided ultrasound wavefront shaping for targeted acousto-optic imaging

To overcome speed of sound aberrations that negatively impact the acoustic focus in acousto-optic imaging, received photoacoustic signals are used to guide the formation of ultrasound wavefronts to compensate for acoustic inhomogeneities. Photoacoustic point sources composed of gold and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are used to generate acoustic waves that acoustically probe the medium as they propagate to the detector. By utilizing cross-correlation techniques with the received photoacoustic signal, transmitted ultrasound wavefronts compensate for the aberration, allowing for optimized and configurable ultrasound transmission to targeted locations. It is demonstrated that utilizing a portable commercially available ultrasound system using customized software, photoacoustic guided ultrasound wavefront shaping for targeted acousto-optic imaging is robust in the presence of large, highly attenuating acoustic aberration.

Synthesis, functionalization and characterization of rod-shaped gold nanoparticles as potential optical contrast agents

Gold nanoparticles exhibit intense and narrow optical extinction bands due to the phenomenon of plasmon resonance making them useful as contrast agents for light-based imaging techniques. Localized heating results from the absorbed light energy, which shows potential for these particles in photothermal therapy as well. The bioconjugation of gold nanoparticles to appropriate antibodies targeted to tumors in vivo, could make highly selective detection and therapy of tumors possible. We have synthesised gold nanorods based on seed mediated protocols using two methods. The first method is based on using a mono-surfactant silver assisted method which produces gold nanorods having plasmon peaks between 670-850 nm within the optical imaging and therapeutic window. These nanorods have aspect ratios between 2.3 - 3.7. A second method is a silver assisted bi-surfactant method which produce nanorods with peaks in the range of 850-1100 nm having aspect ratios between 5 - 11. Typical concentrations of these particles in aqueous dispersions are in the range of 1x1010 - 1x1011 particles per mL. We have bioconjugated these gold nanorods with anti-HER2/neu mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAb). Since the as-prepared CTAB-stabilized nanorods were found to be toxic to SKBR3 cells, we decided to coat the gold nanorods with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Characterization and size estimation of the nanoparticles were performed using electron microscopies, optical spectroscopy and confocal microscopy. We present these results and implications for use of these nanoparticles for in vivo biomedical applications.

Quantitative photoacoustic integrating sphere (QPAIS) platform for absorption coefficient and Gruneisen parameter measurements : Demonstration with human blood

Quantitative photoacoustic imaging in biomedicine relies on accurate measurements of relevant material properties of target absorbers. Here, we present a method for simultaneous measurements of the absorption coefficient and Grüneisen parameter of small volume of liquid scattering and absorbing media using a coupled-integrating sphere system which we refer to as quantitative photoacoustic integrating sphere (QPAIS) platform. The derived equations do not require absolute magnitudes of optical energy and pressure values, only calibration of the setup using aqueous ink dilutions is necessary. As a demonstration, measurements with blood samples from various human donors are done at room and body temperatures using an incubator. Measured absorption coefficient values are consistent with known oxygen saturation dependence of blood absorption at 750 nm, whereas measured Grüneisen parameter values indicate variability among five different donors. An increasing Grüneisen parameter value with both hematocrit and temperature is observed. These observations are consistent with those reported in literature.

Grüneisen Parameter Analyzer: Calibration and Validation

The Gruneisen Parameter (Γ) Analyzer, a device that can measure the energy conversion efficiency of biological samples in a photoacoustic system, is calibrated using aqueous ink dilutions. Validation of the analyzer gives Γ-ethanol= 0.72 ± 0.06.

Determination of the Gruneisen parameter from photoacoustic measurements in an integrating sphere

A method for determining the Grüneisen parameter of absorbing liquids is presented. An integrating sphere is used as a platform for accurate and simultaneous detection of optical and photoacoustic signals. Calibration of the setup is done using aqueous ink solutions. The method is validated using human blood.

Gold nanoparticles for tumour detection and treatment

The use of nanoparticles in biomedical applications is emerging rapidly. Recent developments have led to numerous studies of noble metal nanoparticles, down to the level of single molecule detection in living cells. The application of noble metal nanoparticles in diagnostics and treatment of early stage carcinomas is the subject of many present studies. Gold nanoparticles are particularly interesting for optical biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility and moreover, their enhanced absorption cross-sections. The latter is a result of surface plasmon resonance, which can be tuned by altering the shape of the nanoparticles enabling usage of the near infrared tissue transparent optical window. This paper presents a brief overview of the variety of shapes, size and surface chemistries of the gold nanoparticles used for cancer detection and treatment, as well as their effects in different tumour models that have recently been investigated, both in vitro and in vivo.