Imaging and Diagnosis
technology : imaging and diagnosis
Optical Imaging
Today, the Genelux family of viral and bacterial constructs expresses a variety of proteins that can be used for optical imaging, including luciferases and fluorescent proteins. These proteins allow for the detection of tumors and metastases located either on or near body surfaces, easily-accessible parts of the body (allowing bronchoscopy, endoscopy, laparoscopy etc.), or which can be exposed surgically. Optical imaging could thus be used for the detection and diagnosis of tumors and metastases in patients with melanoma or other surface tumors. Optical imaging markers are also potential tools to monitor the therapeutic effect of our oncolytic viruses. Further, tumors and metastases infected by our viral constructs can be detected intra-operatively by surgeons with relatively simple equipment, allowing them to verify successful removal of all malignant tissues to obtain clean margins.
GFP traditionally refers to the protein first isolated from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria. It is a naturally autofluorescent protein which exhibits bright green fluorescence when exposed to blue light. In cell and molecular biology, the GFP gene is frequently used as a reporter of expression.