The Development and Application of Optical Bio-instrumentation to Investigate Metabolic State in Disease Models

Metabolic dysfunction can present in conditions like cancer and neurodegeneration. Optical imaging techniques were employed to assist in the diagnosis and understanding of disease pathologies. A cryomesoscopy modality was designed and incorporated into an imaging device to investigate metabolic biomarkers. The new lens design provided higher magnifications and resolution of tissue data. The improved imaging capabilities gave detailed access to structural and biochemical changes that occur in disease progression. Cryomesoscopy was applied to study mitochondrial redox state in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s and cancer. The optical imaging tools were utilized to visualize the livers and kidneys of mutated mice and investigate their metabolic states. The results in both investigations revealed oxidized metabolic states, a marker of oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction. The cryomesoscopy system has proven instrumental in quantifying metabolic shifts and offers new insights into disease pathologies. Optical imaging can be applied to understanding metabolic mechanisms in many diseases.