2009 Faculty Researchers

Usiakimi Igbaseimokumo MBBS, FRC5(SN), MD

Photodynamic therapy of brain tumors

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Co-Investigator

Scott Norman Litofsky, MD, FACS
Douglas Miller MD, PhD

Department

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery.

Office Location

MC316

Phone #:

Office: (573) 882-4900
Fax: (573) 884-5184

Summary

Photodynamic therapy is an emerging treatment modality for brain tumors which is mainly limited by the photosensitizers available.

This project is designed to test an array of new photosensitizers on previously maintained brain tumor cell lines. The cell lines will be exposed to a number of different photosensitizers and qualitative assessment of uptake will be assessed by fluorescent microscopy.

In vitro photodynamic therapy will be t:arried out using appropriate wavelengnth laser light and cell death determined by MTf assay {[3-(4,S-d imethylth izole- 2-yl)- Z,5-d iphe nyltetrazo-Ii urn bromide] (9:1)}.

The student's role will be to carry out the experiments with the assistance of a laboratory staffer and report the results.