Jefferson and Delaware Research Team to Create Three-Dimensional Touch-and-Feel Genetic Images of Cancer
A
team of researchers from Thomas Jefferson University and the University
of Delaware have received a grant from the Department of Defense to
create a three-dimensional patient imaging system that will allow
surgeons to view and touch selected organs and tissues prior to
surgery.
The investigators will also design novel radiopharmaticals that will scan for gene activity of the disease and present the
results in a realistic hologram-like display that can be touched and probed like genuine organs.
The
two-year project is focused on the pancreas and pancreatic tumors, and
has two aims: 1.) the molecular design of a single new imaging ligand
for epidermal growth factor receptors, and 2.) the surgical simulation
of human pancreatic cancer reconstructed from patient CT and PET scans.
Currently,
the elements of surgery must be imagined by the surgeon from
two-dimential diagnostic images before an operation, according to Eric
Wickstrom, Ph.D., professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at
Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.
Three-dimensional holographic images will allow surgeons to see the
lesion to be removed in the patient’s own anatomical environment and
permit a “touch and feel” surgical strategy.
“This
imaging system will provide a highly realistic environment in which to
better understand an individual patient’s pathology, and to accurately
plan and rehearse that patient’s operation,” said Wickstrom, the leader
of the study. “This system will combine the 3D visual image with the
sense of touch and permit surgeons to view, palpate and manipulate
selected organs and tissues.”
“This
state of the art procedure will significantly enhance our ability to
evaluate new biomolecules for their eventual translation to improving
surgical care of patients at Jefferson and beyond,” said Mathew Thaker,
Ph.D., professor of Radiology and director of the Laboratories of
Radiopharmaceutical Research and Molecular Imaging. Dr. Thakur is also
part of the research team at Jefferson.
The
Jefferson research team also includes Chang-Po Chen, Ph.D., from the
department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Devadhas Devakumar,
Ph.D., from the department of Radiology; John Kairys, M.D., from the
department of Surgery; and Martha Ankeny, M.Ed., director of Learning
Resources. The Delaware team members include Karl Steiner, Ph.D.,
Kenneth Barner, Ph.D., and Rui Hu, all from the department of
Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Media Only Contact:
Emily Shafer
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Phone: (215) 955-6300
Published: 9/24/2009