Development of novel label-free microscopy instrumentation
We innovate instrument design and integrate new technologies to offer label-free bioimaging at the molecular level. In label-free bioimaging the detected light originates directly from the interaction between the excitation light and the sample, an interaction can originate from a variety of physical processes, such as scattering, absorption and fluorescence decay. The major techniques that are under development in the laboratory include correlative live-cell imaging approaches based on multi-photon, fluorescence life-time and confocal Raman spectroscopic imaging. To complement the imaging modalities, we also focus on developing advanced multivariate analysis and artificial intelligence to translate spectroscopic images into specific molecular profiles.
Bergholt Lab website
Label-free bioimaging for molecular profiling of cancers
Traditional histological and immunohistochemical imaging techniques have been essential for characterisation of molecular markers and tissue structure. Label-free bioimaging offers a complementary alternative for analysis of biological samples such as live cells or tissues without using exogenous contrast agents.
We apply correlative fluorescence, multiphoton and Raman spectroscopic imaging for the full complement of diseases ranging from neurological diseases, calcification, cancers, osteoarthritis as well as a novel tool in tissue engineering. We are particular interested in development of Raman spectroscopy techniques. Raman spectroscopy is a non-invasive and label-free inelastic optical light scattering technique. The Raman spectrum of tissue provides a point-wise optical fingerprint of the myriad of inter- and intracellular building blocks (i.e., proteins, lipids and DNA) of tissue and cells.
Multimodal endoscopic bioimaging for early in vivo diagnosis of cancer
Early detection and intervention of cancers remain essential to decrease the mortality rate. New cost-amenable biophotonic approaches for in vivo molecular analysis could transform clinical healthcare. The next generation cancer diagnosis strategies require technologies that offers detection, grading and staging of lesions in the earliest stage of the disease.
Our approach combines optical imaging and spectroscopy to develop systems capable of comprehensive characterisation of early cancer. We believe that a multimodal imaging approach such as simultaneous Raman spectroscopy and optical coherence tomography could become the next generation technology for in vivo diagnostics of cancers. Far-reaching implications of Raman spectroscopy are already emerging for clinical applications including in vivo diagnosis of cancers, osteoarthritis as well as monitoring of implanted tissue engineered constructs. In addition, the lab actively studies the basic mechanisms of light-tissue interactions to understand light transport in tissue.
H2020 ERC Starting Grant (2019-2024)
NC3Rs Crack-it Challenge (2020-2023)
NVIDIA GPU Academic Award (2019)
King’s Together EPSRC Capital Equipment Award for Early Career Researchers (2019)
King’s Together EPSRC Capital Equipment Award for Early Career Researchers (2019)
NC3Rs Crack-it Challenge Phase 1 (2019)
King’s Prize Fellowship (2018-2020)