title: FLIM-FRET for Cancer Applications.
abstract: Optical imaging assays, especially fluorescence molecular assays, are minimally invasive if not completely noninvasive, and thus an ideal technique to be applied to live specimens. These fluorescence imaging assays are a powerful tool in biomedical sciences as they allow the study of a wide range of molecular and physiological events occurring in biological systems. Furthermore, optical imaging assays bridge the gap between thein vitrocell-based analysis of subcellular processes andin vivostudy of disease mechanisms in small animal models. In particular, the application of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), well-known techniques widely used in microscopy, to the optical imaging assay toolbox, will have a significant impact in the molecular study of protein-protein interactions during cancer progression. This review article describes the application of FLIM-FRET to the field of optical imaging and addresses their various applications, both current and potential, to anti-cancer drug delivery and cancer research.
authors.affiliation: Albany Medical College, The Center for Cardiovascular Sciences, Albany, NY, 12208.
authors.forename: Shilpi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajoria
authors.affiliation: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biomedical imaging Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Troy, NY 12180.
authors.forename: Lingling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biomedical imaging Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Troy, NY 12180.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Intes
authors.affiliation: Albany Medical College, The Center for Cardiovascular Sciences, Albany, NY, 12208.
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barroso
keywords: Cancer therapy; Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET); diagnostics; fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM); in vivo imaging; lifetime; near infra-red (NIR)