Biomedical subjects

Bradley Ferguson

Publications and source records attributed to Bradley Ferguson.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Sensing minute changes in biological cell monolayers with THz differential time-domain spectroscopy.

We used terahertz differential time-domain spectroscopy (THz-DTDS) to measure minute changes of bovine lung microvessel endothelial cells (BLMVEC) in response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These changes were reflected by alterations in THz wave attenuations and THz dielectric properties of the treated cells. The VEGF-induced THz attenuations of cell monolayers correlated well with changes in transendothelial resistance, as measured using electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS). However, the morphological differences that gave rise to these changes were not observed with standard optical phase contrast microscopy. We conclude that THz-DTDS is a highly sensitive, non-invasive, powerful new tool to measure minute changes in the morphology of live, cultured cell monolayers. This method enables spectroscopic investigations of cells in the THz band, providing information unavailable through other conventional methods such as optical phase contrast microscopy and ECIS.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Towards functional 3D T-ray imaging.

We review the recent development of T-ray computed tomography, a terahertz imaging technique that allows the reconstruction of the three-dimensional refractive index profile of weakly scattering objects. Terahertz pulse imaging is used to obtain images of the target at multiple projection angles and the filtered backprojection algorithm enables the reconstruction of the object's frequency-dependent refractive index. The application of this technique to a biological bone sample and a plastic test structure is demonstrated. The structure of each target is accurately resolved and the frequency-dependent refractive index is determined. The frequency-dependent information may potentially be used to extract functional information from the target, to uniquely identify different materials or to diagnose medical conditions.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2002

Materials for terahertz science and technology.

Terahertz spectroscopy systems use far-infrared radiation to extract molecular spectral information in an otherwise inaccessible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Materials research is an essential component of modern terahertz systems: novel, higher-power terahertz sources rely heavily on new materials such as quantum cascade structures. At the same time, terahertz spectroscopy and imaging provide a powerful tool for the characterization of a broad range of materials, including semiconductors and biomolecules.

Biocompatible Materials↗