Project 3

Carbon Nanotube X-Ray for in vivo Cancer

Detection and Treatment

Otto Zhou, Ph.D.

Lyle Jones Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Project PI

Project 3 is primarily based on novel X-ray imaging technology recently developed in the Zhou laboratory. The unique characteristics of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) allow them to be used as room-temperature field emission electron sources, thus enabling the design of novel X-ray imaging devices (nano-CTs) with markedly enhanced spatial and temporal resolution as well as reduced size. This nanotechnology-based strategy will be evaluated in the context of several imaging problems of great clinical importance.

Development of CNT technology for imaging and radiotherapy:

  • A pulsed nano-CT will be developed to dynamically image tumors of the lung. This innovative technology will be tested in a mouse model of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) to document improvements in temporal and spatial resolution over current CT systems
  • A novel nanotube-based radiation beam system will also be developed and used to irradiate the tumors that are imaged

Imaging of colon tumors and pre-cancerous lesions (‘virtual colonoscopy’):

  • Pulsed nano-CT will be developed to dynamically image colon tumors. The technology will be tested in a mouse model of colon cancer for improvements in temporal and spatial resolution over current CT systems

Breast tumor imaging:

  • A nanotube-based system is being developed for CT of the breast. The system will initially be tested on inanimate models (pre-clinical phantoms)

Project 3 will be be linked to Project 1 and Project 4 through the evaluation of radio-contrast agents based on ‘smart’ nanoparticles in the various models being tested. Project 3 will also make extensive use of the Animal Models Core.

Project 3 is translational in nature and indeed the breast tumor imaging work is already well along the path to initial evaluation in humans. Goals for Project 3 address both technology development and successful application of that technology, primarily in animal tumor models.

Links:

Professor Zhou's homepage

North Carolina Center for Nanoscale Materials

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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