The molecular biophotonics lab develops custom microscopes and endoscopic imaging devices, along with molecularly targeted contrast agents, for diagnosing diseases and for guiding therapy.  In particular, we have developed large-scale and miniature dual-axis confocal microscopes and light-sheet microscopes to enable high-resolution slide-free optical-sectioning of tissues for early cancer detection, improved diagnosis/grading of tumors, and surgical guidance.  We are also developing spectral-imaging endoscopes and intraoperative imaging devices, in conjunction with nanoparticle contrast agents, for multiplexed molecular imaging of disease biomarkers.  These projects leverage our multidisciplinary expertise in biomedical optics, spectroscopy, molecular imaging, mechanical and electrical instrumentation, and preclinical/clinical translation.

The lab is directed by Dr. Jonathan Liu and is located in the department of mechanical engineering at the University of Washington (Seattle).