Overview

The Gibbs Laboratory is focused on the development of novel imaging reagents for improved macroscopic and microscopic cancer imaging applications.

Fluorophores for Image-Guided Surgery

We are focused on the development of tissue- and disease-specific fluorophores for image-guided surgery. We are actively designing, synthesizing and testing nerve-specific fluorophores and application methods that can be used to visualize structures to be avoided or repaired during surgery. Our group is also collaboratively developing novel probes and staining methodologies for intraoperative cancer margin assessment with Dr. Scott Davis at Dartmouth College. Read more about our Nerve Fluorophore research. 

Cyclic Immunostaining for Multicolor Microscopy

Understanding cancer development and improved treatment strategies requires appreciation of the interaction of tens to hundreds of proteins within cells and tissues. Current protein based imaging technologies are limited in their ability to detect more than a handful of proteins on a single sample, requiring use of numerous samples to detect the multitude of vital proteins. Thus, using current techniques, it is impossible to understand complex protein interactions as they cannot be properly co-registered between different samples. To alleviate this difficulty, we are developing a cyclic immunofluorescence technology facilitating staining, imaging, signal removal and restaining of the same sample many times, permitting visualization of potentially hundreds of proteins in a single sample. This is a collaborative development project at the OCSSB. Read more about Cyclic Immunostaining research. 

Intracellular Paired Agent Imaging (iPAI) Enables Assessment of Drug Biodistribution & Therapeutic Efficacy

Optimal selection of cancer therapy is challenged by current inability to effectively model and screen drugs for personalized medicine. We are developing a novel technology termed intracellular paired agent imaging (iPAI) in collaboration with Dr. Kenneth Tichauer (Illinois Institute of Technology) and Dr. Kimberley Samkoe (Dartmouth) that will facilitate quantitative assessment of both drug biodistribution and therapeutic efficacy on in vitro, in vivo and explant tissue culture. We anticipate that this technology will enable high throughput drug screening for personalized therapy selection for cancer patients. Read more about our iPAI research.