Developing Probes for Long Lasting Targeted In Vivo Imaging

Bioluminescence is a useful tool for imaging of cancer in in vivo animal models that endogenously express luciferase, an enzyme that requires a substrate for visual readout. Current bioluminescence imaging, using commonly available luciferin substrates, only lasts a short time (15-20 min).  To avoid repeated administration of luciferase substrate during cancer detection and surgery, we have developed a long lasting bioluminescence imaging substrate (YuLu) that extends bioluminescence imaging to days not minutes.

Targeting Extracellular Biomarkers of Cancer