Contact

william.lim-kee-chang15@imperial.ac.uk

Research

An acoustic wavelet technology for delivering smart imaging probes to the brain

Molecular imaging probes have the potential to transform neuroimaging. Whereas CT and conventional MRI provide structural and anatomic information of the brain, molecular probes can identify processes that are specific to a disease and its stage. This could allow doctors to classify the disease earlier and more accurately, and match it with the best therapeutic option (i.e., personalised medicine). Some important unmet needs include locating hidden cancer cells after surgical removal of a glioblastoma tumour; and identifying Alzheimer’s disease early so that the correct treatments can be initiated.

However, molecular imaging probes cannot enter the brain, because of the blood-brain barrier, and thus remain impractical. Thus, at the moment, molecular imaging targets are constrained to intravascular targets, such as receptors on endothelial cells, which are unlikely to be direct indicators of the disease. We would like to widen the scope of molecular imaging probes to all extravascular targets – neurons, microglial cells, and disease processes in the extracellular space (e.g., ABeta plaques in Alzheimer’s disease).

My project focuses on combining acoustic wavelet technology (short, low-pressure ultrasound pulses) that can deliver drugs across the blood-brain barrier with specially synthesised imaging probes to create a platform for imaging specific disease processes using MRI or other imaging modalities.

Personal

I graduated with an MSci in Chemistry from Imperial College London in June 2020, having carried out my final year project on the synthesis of a FRET-based reporter probe for the enzyme activity of heme oxygenase-1 under the supervision of Prof. Nick Long. I have also carried out summer research on charge carrier dynamics in lead-halide perovskites using ultrafast laser spectroscopy under the supervision of Dr. Artem Bakulin. My current project involves the synthesis of new MRI/optical imaging probes and their delivery to targets in the brain using a combination of focused ultrasound and microbubbles for blood-brain barrier opening.