Seminar by Irene Georgakoudi, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA

11AM,  Lecture hall BECQUEREL, Ecole Polytechnique         

Label-free, multi-scale imaging of mitochondrial and metabolic function in living tissue

This presentation will highlight the unique opportunities to assess metabolic and mitochondrial function and/or dysfunction afforded by label-free, two photon imaging.

The high resolution of two-photon images enables unique assessments of the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunction, which is recognized increasingly as a significant driver of events that determine the development and/or treatment response of numerous diseases.

The combined use of readouts from fluorescence intensity and lifetime images yields sensitivity and specificity to metabolic function changes. However, approaches such as spectral imaging may be needed to identify all major contributors to cellular autofluorescence, and develop protocols to quantify reliably the fluorescence emanating from NAD(P)H and flavins and extract robust metabolic readouts.

Examples will include such measurements from engineered tissues, excised human tissues, and living patients in the context of neurodegeneration, cancer detection, and vitiligo treatment monitoring.Chromosomes are long polymers of DNA that, when unraveled, far exceed the size of the cells containing them. Cellular mechanisms are thus at play to facilitate their integration into the cell while keeping the DNA accessible to multiple cellular processes such as replication, segregation, transcription, and repair. One of the main actors in this chromosome biology is the SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) complex. These highly conserved and universally present proteins play an essential role and are involved in various aspects of chromosome management.

Contact :    Emmanuel Beaurepaire
                   emmanuel.beaurepaire at polytechnique.edu