When
Where
Title
Mid-Infrared Photothermal Microscopy for High-Resolution Biomedical Research
Abstract
Optical imaging plays a crucial role in biology, enabling the visualization of cellular structures and dynamic processes. While mid-infrared (mid-IR) imaging provides unique chemical contrast by detecting intrinsic molecular vibrations, conventional mid-IR imaging suffers from poor spatial resolution, preventing the visualization of sub-cellular organelles. Here, I will introduce Mid-Infrared Photothermal (MIP) Microscopy, a breakthrough technology that overcomes this limitation. By employing a pump-probe approach, where mid-IR absorption is detected via a visible probe beam, MIP microscopy achieves sub-micrometer resolution for cell imaging. Beyond its technical advantages, I will discuss how this advancement opens new possibilities for biomedical research, enabling high-resolution metabolic imaging to study cellular function, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic responses. Overall, this talk will showcase the transformative potential of MIP microscopy in redefining mid-IR imaging and unlocking new opportunities for biomedical research.
Bio
Dr. Yeran Bai is an Assistant Professor at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona. Dr. Bai earned her B.S. in Optical Science and Engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in 2013 and completed her Ph.D. in Optical Engineering at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2019. During her doctoral studies, she received the International Student Exchange Fellowship and joined Dr. Ji-Xin Cheng’s group at Boston University and later continued her postdoc training there focusing on photothermal infrared imaging and its biomedical applications. Before joining the University of Arizona, she was a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California Santa Barbara, where she investigated metabolic alterations associated with Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Bai actively contributes to the scientific community as a reviewer for journals, session chairs at SPIE Photonics West, and a guest editor.
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