While fluorescence-based techniques can be applied to the study of disease at a fundamental mechanistic level, e.g. using molecular cell biology techniques with highly specific labels, including genetically expressed fluorescent proteins, they can also be applied to preclinical and clinical studies. Preclinical studies in animal models are an essential precursor to clinical studies and form a significant part of the drug discovery pipeline. Following the principles of the 3Rs in biomedical research, it is essential to minimise the number of animals used for medical research and to maximise the information that can be gained from each experiment. It is therefore important to develop new methods that can help increase the effectiveness of animal studies and minimise the impact on the subject. In the Photonics Group we aim to help achieve this goal by developing new fluorescence based-instrumentation, for example to provide minimally invasive measurements that can enable longitudinal studies thereby significantly reducing the numbers of animal experiments needed.

For preclinical studies we are mainly developing fluorescence-based instrumentation that can complement established preclinical imaging technologies, such as X-ray CT, PET, MRI etc., and are particularly interested to translate quantitative readouts of cell function from microscopy of cell cultures to disease models. Although we have made some progress developing non-invasive readouts of cell function in murine disease models, most of our current in vivo efforts are directed towards imaging disease processes in zebrafish. We have also worked to apply our multidimensional fluorescence imaging technologies to ex vivo tissue samples, particularly in studies of the pancreas for diabetes research.

The following are some specific topics or projects that we have addressed in preclinical studies as part of our mission to understand the mechanism of disease in order to further the development of therapies. All animal studies at Imperial College London are undertaken under a rigorous regulatory and ethical framework and are carried out by our biomedical collaborators.

Preclinical studies