Department of Physics, University of Utah Scanner Origin Werner Gellermann, Ph.D. Research Professor Department of Physics, University of Utah
Center for Biomedical Optics Dixon Laser Institute, University of Utah Personnel Werner Gellermann, Ph.D. Igor Ermakov, Ph.D. Robert McClane Maia Ermakova Steven Wintch Tige Cook Lihong Jin Mohsen Sharifzadeh Paul Bernstein, Ph.D, M.D. Da-You Zhao, M.D. Prakash Bohsale Technologies Novel Raman Spectroscopy and Raman Imaging Novel, high-brightness blue-green light sources Novel light source for PDT Existing laser technologies Funding National Institutes of Health, State of Utah Spectrotek, LLC
Biophotonics Bio = Living Organism Photon = Light Biophotonics = Measuring living organisms with light The future of health tests blood sugar bilirubin antioxidant defense
Raman Scattering Sir C. V. Raman, Nobel Prize in Physics 1930 Laser light Raman scattered light Vibronic Energy Levels
Raman spectrum of carotenoids
Raman measurements of lutein and zeaxanthin in the living human retina Raman Instrument Healthy retina Raman results: Decline of carotenoids with age Vision with AMD Normal vision
Measuring Skin Carotenoid Levels Exposure time ……………. 20 sec Laser …………….488 nm; 5 mW Laser light spot diameter …. 2 mm Intensity at skin …. 0.16 W/cm2 Radiant exposure about 1500 times lower that AINSI safety limit
Raman measurements of group of 1266 subjects Mean: 19,281 Std.Dev.: 8,769 N = 1,266 Number of Subjects Skin carotenoid Raman signal, a.u. Feasible to assess carotenoid content in large numbers of subjects; field studies Study correlation between disease and tissue carotenoid antioxidant levels Study bioavailability, uptakes, correlation with blood levels, etc.
Future Use portable Raman carotenoid scanner in epidemiological and clinial studies to determine correlation between carotenoid levels in tissue and risk for diseases. Novel, noninvasive biomarker for fruit and vegetable uptake (NIH grant for collaboration between University of Utah and Yale University; start date: Spring 2003; contact Pharmanex for Details)