/ Modified jul 27, 2017 9:36 a.m.

Episode 36: A New Window on Cancer

Emerging methods that take an "optical biopsy" offer a new approach to cancer biopsies.

GBM brain tumor cancer Histology Glioblastoma with primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) component, HE stain, x100 magnification. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Jensflorian, via Wikimedia Commons

Biopsy, or physical removal of tissue, followed by a pathologists evaluation of a prepared slice of the tissue is a standard of care in the diagnosis of many diseases. But emerging methods that take an "optical biopsy" offer a new approach -- basically taking the microscope to the tissue rather than the tissue to the microscope. Dr. Arthur Gmitro, Department Head of Biomedical Engineering, describes research at the University of Arizona on the development and use of a confocal microendoscope that takes detailed in-situ images of tissues in real time to allow faster and potentially earlier diagnosis of cancer at the cellular and even molecular levels.

IN THIS EPISODE

Arthur Gmitro, Ph.D, Professor and Head of Biomedical Engineering, Professor of Medical Imaging and Optical Science and Co-Director of the Cancer Imaging Center at the U of A's Cancer Center
Leslie Tolbert, Ph.D, Regents' Professor in the University of Arizona's Department of Neuroscience

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