Professor Irina Kabakova | Brillouin Microscopy: The Future of Non-Invasive Tissue Analysis and Diagnostics

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Professor Irina Kabakova | Brillouin Microscopy: The Future of Non-Invasive Tissue Analysis and Diagnostics

Nov 7, 2024 | engineering and tech, health and medicine

About this episode

Brillouin microscopy is a revolutionary imaging technology that offers detailed insights into the mechanical properties of cells and tissues. The technology relies on Brillouin light scattering. When light interacts with a material, it scatters in a way that depends on the material’s mechanical properties. This scattering causes a shift in the frequency of the light, which scientists can measure to determine stiffness and viscosity. This non-invasive technique allows living tissues to be studied in great detail without needing to use chemical labels or physical contact. The field of Brillouin microscopy has seen significant advancements over the past two decades, primarily driven by the development of high-resolution optical spectrometers.

In a recent paper, Professor Irina Kabakova of the University of Technology Sydney, and her colleagues, provide a comprehensive overview of Brillouin microscopy. The rationale for the paper stems from the urgent need for non-invasive, chemical label-free methods to analyze the mechanical properties of biological samples at microscopic scales.

Understanding these mechanical properties is crucial for predicting cellular behavior and disease progression. For instance, changes in cell stiffness can indicate the presence of disease, making Brillouin microscopy particularly valuable for medical diagnostics.

In their work, Kabakova and her team provide a detailed explanation of the methods and applications of Brillouin microscopy, offering key demonstrations that can guide both existing researchers and newcomers. Their recent paper serves as a reference point, helping to standardize procedures and encourage other researchers to adopt this technology in various scientific disciplines.

Brillouin microscopy can readily and non-invasively detect changes in tissue stiffness, aiding in the early diagnosis of conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, it is invaluable in tissue engineering, as it can aid the design of biomaterials for medical implants and prosthetics by providing detailed mechanical information on both lab-created tissues and the native tissues they intend to mimic.

The technology also aids in understanding how mechanical forces affect cell behavior, which is crucial for studying processes such as wound healing and cancer metastasis. By providing a non-invasive means to study these mechanical properties, Brillouin microscopy opens up new avenues for research and innovation.

Kabakova believes that as the technology evolves, it will become more accessible and practical. Through their recent paper, she and her colleagues not only showcase the current capabilities of Brillouin microscopy, but also inspire future research and development in this exciting field.