The lab also has a major interest in Optical Bio-imaging, specifically applying optical tomographic techniques to imaging tissue samples,  The primary aim of this research is to investigate and optimize the new techniques of optical-computed-tomography (optical-CT) and optical-emission-tomography (optical-ECT), and establish their capability as powerful new tools of pre-clinical cancer biology.  Optical-CT/ECT are the optical analogues of x-ray-CT and SPECT respectively.  In conjunction with new techniques for rendering bulk tissue samples transparent to visible light, optical-CT/ECT can yield unique data unattainable by other modalities.  Principally: high-spatial resolution (potentially 10-20µm), high contrast, precisely co-registered, three-dimensional (3D) images of the distribution of fluorescent reporter proteins and absorbing contrast agents in large un-sectioned tissue samples (up to ~8cc).  This capability is of significant interest to cancer researchers because it provides, for the first time, data similar to that obtained from influential window-chamber studies, but in much larger tumors.  Optical-CT/ECT have potential for very diverse application.  Our initial work builds on funded work in Dr Dewhirsts lab investigating novel therapeutics to reduce a critical cause of radiation and chemotherapy treatment failure: hypoxic-tumor resistance.  We aim to image the 3D distribution of vasculature, HIF-1 and viable tumor in much larger tumors than has been possible before.  Successful completion will establish optical-CT/ECT as powerful new tools of pre-clinical cancer biology, with diverse applicability, capable of providing unique data on key biological characteristics in larger tumors.  The 'proof of principle' is to evaluate novel therapeutics for hypoxic-tumor-resistance.  The results may help determine a new and effective therapeutic approach to this critical cause of radiation and chemotherapy treatment failure.