Seemantini Nadkarni, PhD

Instructor

Wellman Center for Photomedicine

Massachusetts General Hospital

Research Interests

My principle research interest is the application of optical imaging techniques for the identification of high risk atherosclerotic plaque in coronary arteries. The propensity of plaque rupture is influenced by morphological features of the plaque, the mechanical properties of the atheroma, as well as the fibrillar collagen content of the fibrous cap. Our research focuses on using optical imaging approaches to determine these key features associated with plaque vulnerability. We are currently developing a new technique based on laser speckle analysis (LSA) to measure the Brownian motion of molecules within atherosclerotic plaques and to provide an index of plaque viscoelasticity. We have implemented this technique to study a large number of human aortic plaques and have shown that LSA can accurately characterize plaque type, measure plaque viscoelasticity, and assess fibrous cap thickness and plaque collagen content. Our ongoing studies involve the extension of these methods to develop a technique for 3D plaque Microrheology. In addition, we are exploring the use of catheter-based fiber bundles for future in vivo patient studies. In a current study, we are also investigating the application of polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography to measure collagen birefringence in atherosclerotic plaques. The successful culmination of this research will enable the study of collagen distribution in patients with high-risk plaques, refine plaque vulnerability criteria and provide greater insight into the morphological changes associated with lipid-lowering therapy.