A multidisciplinary team of investigators with expertise in ophthalmology, retinal biochemistry, advanced optical imaging, and biomedical engineering from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in collaboration with Dr. Vainrub from Auburn University with expertise in the development of super resolution microscopy technique for nanoimaging, will develop and test a multimodal imaging system for early detection and monitoring of retinal pathology induced by conditions such as retinopathy and traumatic brain injury. Multiplatform imaging system including autofluorescence, confocal scanning laser ophthalmology (SLO), Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT), adaptive optics (AO), and fluorescence imaging - used in multimodal combination can provide high resolution molecular images of the retina with potentially cellular resolution. SLO, FDOCT, and PISRM will be used to quantify the spatial and temporal distributions of endogenous and exogenous biomarkers and nano-based contrast agent designed for detection of inflammatory responses as a function of disease progression.
