Nanoparticules photostimulables pour l'imagerie d'inflammation en système microvasculaire par microscopie photoacoustique à fort contraste
(Projet-ANR-21-CE06-0034)

Janvier 2021 - Décembre 2025

Partenaire IMN du projet : Stéphane CUENOT   (équipe PMN)

Coordinateur :
Chimie Et Interdisciplinarité, Synthèse, Analyse, Modélisation (CEISAM Nantes)
Partenaires :
Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique (LIPHY Saint Martin d'Hères)
Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie et Immunologie Nantes Angers (CRCINA Nantes)
Techniques de l'Ingénierie Médicale et de la Complexité - Informatique, Mathématiques et Applications (TIMC-IMAG Grenoble)

The recent rise of high-resolution and depth imaging techniques like photoacoustic microscopy (PA) stimulates novel research areas in biology. In vivo tracking of immune cells, signaling inflammation and severe pathologies thereof, is one of them and attracts great interest. The interdisciplinary AZOTICS project thus aims at addressing the current PA microscopy limitations by fabricating innovative biocompatible elastomeric nanolabels relying on azo photochromes. Photostimulated actuation mechanisms will help amplify the PA contrast based on thermal expansion. The photoinduced mechanical deformations of single nano-objects will be assessed at the nanoscale using atomic force microscopy. Their PA imaging capability will be valued through an in vitro, in cellulo and in vivo continuum involving monocyte and macrophage staining, microfluidic systems mimicking microvasculature, and inflammatory models.

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