Biophotonics Group
- Keywords: photosensitization, nanoparticles, nanomedicine, optical biopsy, upconversion, non-linear microscopy
The group’s scientific interests cover interdisciplinary research field.The group’s scientific interests cover interdisciplinary research fieldaiming to create and develop new methods and technologiessuitable for early diagnostics and combined treatment of cancerousand rheumatic diseases.
Research group activities
Research activities include application of optical methods andnantechnological solutions to enhance selectivity and specificityof optical biopsy and phototherapy in the intersection of physics,chemistry and biomedicine, in particular:
• Studies on optical properties and spectroscopy of biologically active molecules, nanoparticles and photosensitizers;
• Optical biopsy of healthy and diseased tissues in vitro and invivo;
• Experimental studies on light interaction with biological objectsin vitro and in vivo;
• Experimental studies covering biomedical applications of thenew combined technologies, including nanomedicine.
Proposal
The group, together with local partners, offers technological base,facilities and scientific competence for model experiments combining application of photonic and nanotechnological techniques tostudy photoinduced processes in biological systems in vitro andin vivo including different cellular cultures and the experimentalanimals.
Meet our team
Leading researchers:
Prof. Ričardas Rotomskis,
Prof. Saulius Bagdonas
Staff:
Assist. Prof. Agnė Kalnaitytė
PhD students:
Greta Jarockytė,
Greta Jarockytė,
Dominyka Dapkutė,
Akvilė Šlektaitė,
Marius Stašys
Research outcomes
More than 300 research publications including severalbook chapters.
Dr. Theodore Maiman Award at SPIE's International Biomedical Optics'93 Symposium in Los Angeles (USA). – Prof. R. Rotomskis.
Lithuanian Science Award in Biomedical Sciences in 2002 for scientificstudy in the field of the photosensitized tumour therapy in1986-2001. – Prof. R. Rotomskis (with colleagues).
National and international scientific collaboration:
• National Cancer Institute - photosensitization and imaging of cancerstem cells;
• VU Faculty of Physics, Institute of Chemical Physics - EPR spectroscopyof photochemical processes;
• VU Faculty of Chemistry - synthesis and characterization ofnanoparticles;
• Centre for Innovative Medicine - application of photonic technologieson rheumatoid arthritis model;
• Institute of Ecology of Nature Research Centre - toxicity of nanoparticles on aquatic ecosystems;
• Joint research projects with scientific partners from Australia,Canada, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Taiwan.
Ongoing projects
The project “Polarimetric non-linear microscopy for biomedical researchand cancer diagnostics” (01.2.2-LMT-K-718-02-0016) financed by the Research Council of Lithuania from the EU Structural funds programme, project leader prof. Virginijus Barzda (Toronto universityand Vilnius University).
Resources
The Biophotonics group has access to:
• Confocal multichannel fluorescence microscopy system withcapacity for spectral registration and fluorescence lifetimeimaging supplemented with thermostatic equipment for prolongedcellular observations.
• An atomic force microscopy system with possibility for measurements in liquid media.
• A femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser system and an optical parametric amplifier TOPAS for two-photon excitation.
• A CCD-based optical imaging system with a thermostatic life supportsystem for experimental animals under anaesthesia.
• A system for evaluation of a particle’s size ZetaPALS (BrookhavenInc., JAV)
Contacts
Prof. Saulius Bagdonas
Laser Research Center
Faculty of Physics
More about center: http://www.lasercenter.vu.lt/en
Department for Research and Innovation
Vilnius University
Phone: +370 5 268 7006
More information: https://www.vu.lt/verslui/