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The Monthly Seminar on Physical Genomics: Advances And Applications Of Quantitative Phase Imaging And Refractive Index Tomography Of Opaque Samples Via Quantitative Oblique Back Illumination Microscopy - Francisco Robles, PhD

Friday, August 28, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT
Online
Webcast Link

August 28th @ 12pm (Central U.S. Time)

Register for the Live Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt 

Abstract

Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) and refractive index (RI) tomography enable label-free measurements of biological samples with exquisite subcellular contrast and nanometer-scale sensitivity, providing unprecedented access to important histological and biophysical information of cells and tissues non-invasively. However, conventional QPI and RI tomography methods are restricted to thin samples due to their reliance on a transmission-based optical geometry, which hinders their overall clinical utility, particularly for in vivo applications. To overcome this critical limitation, the Robles lab has recently developed a technology called quantitative oblique back-illumination microscopy (qOBM), which provides the same level of quantitative cellular and subcellular histological and biophysical information but with epi-illumination. Thus, qOBM can be applied to image bulk tissues, non-invasively and in vivo, enabling many new applications that were previously out of reach of conventional phase imaging technologies. In this presentation Dr. Robles will discuss the theory and inner workings of qOBM, along with his lab’s efforts to apply this technology to novel biomedical and clinical applications, including imaging organoids/3D cell cultures and assessing brain tumor margins in vivo.

About Francisco Robles

Dr. Robles is a Faculty Member in the Department of Imaging Sciences at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Professor at the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech & Emory University. His lab focuses on advancing label-free optical imaging technologies to help improve the understanding of biological processes and the ability to identify disease. He earned his doctorate in medical physics at Duke University with Prof. Wax and completed his postdoctoral training in the Department of Chemistry also at Duke with Prof. Warren.

Sponsored by the Center for Physical Genomics and Engineering, the Cancer and Physical Sciences Program at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, and NIH Grants T32GM142604 and U54CA268084

Cost: Free, registration required at:
https://tinyurl.com/2rw8n7bt

Audience

  • Faculty/Staff
  • Student
  • Public
  • Post Docs/Docs
  • Graduate Students

Contact

Benjamin Keane
(847) 467-3371
Email

Interest

  • Academic (general)

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