Applications of Multimodal Multiphoton Imaging Techniques in Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacological Studies

Nonlinear optical imaging techniques permit visualization and quantification of both microstructural and functional features of biological samples with high spatial resolutions, deeper light penetration, and lower phototoxicity. Realizing the potential of these techniques in pharmacological studies, we designed and developed a multiphoton imaging platform at the GSK Center for Optical Molecular Imaging (COMI) lab at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In a preclinical study conducted at the COMI lab, the multimodal imaging platform was used to longitudinally monitor angiogenesis, metabolic changes, and collagen remodeling during the wound healing process in a noninvasive, label-free manner.

Mice were separated into four groups: control, placebo, low-concentration (LC), and high-concentration (HC) treatment. A statistically significant improvement in the functional relationship between angiogenesis, metabolism, and structural integrity was observed in the HC group. In a clinical study, multimodal optical imaging methods were utilized to assess and quantify skin changes associated with psoriasis, and quantitative endpoints were correlated with disease progression. Alex discusses how these studies demonstrated the promising potential of multimodal multiphoton imaging techniques to aid in disease characterization, drug development, and treatment evaluation.

About the presenter
Aneesh Alex is an associate fellow and an optical imaging specialist on the bioimaging team at GSK. He has over 10 years of experience in developing advanced optical imaging systems for biomedical and pharmaceutical R&D applications. Alex received his doctorate in biomedical optics from Cardiff University in the U.K. Since then, he has accumulated outstanding experience with the development and application of optical imaging technologies for dermatological research, cardiac optogenetics, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic studies. In 2015, he joined GSK and is currently leading the research and development activities at the GSK Center for Optical Molecular Imaging (COMI) lab at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.