Ali Azhdarinia
Univ. of Texas Medical Center, Key interest: real-time detection of neuroendocrine tumors during surgery
Linkedin
About the Speaker
I am an Associate Professor in the Center for Translational Cancer Research at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston (UTHealth). My lab specializes in the development of bioconjugates for tumor-targeted delivery of radionuclides, fluorophores, and cytotoxic payloads. My primary research focus is in the development of a fluorescent somatostatin analog that enables real-time detection of neuroendocrine tumors during surgery. Our approach builds on the effectiveness of somatostatin analogs as validated tumor-targeting compounds and uses novel linker technologies to maintain their outstanding targeting and pharmacokinetic properties. The linkers uniquely allow us to minimally alter the chemical footprint of the parent compound while incorporating radioactive labels for cross-validation of fluorescence readouts. Accordingly, we utilize a variety of imaging techniques at the macro, meso, and microscopic levels for comprehensive agent evaluation.
