CBST has developed a unique laser platform for implementing coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging of biological systems. We are taking full advantage of CARS’ ability to provide high-resolution distribution maps of specific chemicals -- to study the process of lipid uptake in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.

Ly et al., Optics Express 15, 16839-16851 (2007)

We have devised several novel methods to improve and enhance CARS microscopy. The CBST CARS group has demonstrated that multiphoton-excited fluorescence signals (green) can be separated from the CARS signal (blue) by time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC, Fig. A at left)

Schie et al., Optics Express 16, 2168-2175 (2008)

The group also showed that TCSPC can be used to pick up and separate forward-scattering CARS (f-CARS, red) from back-scattered, epi-CARS (green) (above)

Recent CARS imaging of circulating monocytes (right) reveals that these cells, instead of acting only at sites of plaque formation, are also scavenging lipid particles in the bloodstream (arrows indicate lipid vesicles). This may prove to be important in the effort to uncover the basic mechanism of atherosclerosis.