Scientific Advisory Board
Melissa C. Skala
University of Wisconsin-Madison - U.S
Leonel Malacraida
Profile
Dr. Skala's laboratory is dedicated to develop advancing biomedical optical imaging technologies.
Her lab uses photonics-based technologies to develop personalized treatment plans for cancer patients (including breast, pancreatic, colorectal, neuroendocrine, oral, and other cancers). They work closely with oncologists to collect fresh patient biopsies that are maintained in 3D culture (tumor organoids), which are used to screen response to multiple treatment options for each patient. Studies across cell and animal systems are focused on tumor immunology and immunotherapy, cell-level metabolic heterogeneity, and cell-cell interactions. Collaborative projects leverage their unique imaging technologies for clinical problems including quality control in T cell and stem-cell therapies, monitoring diseases in the eye, and predicting pre-term birth, among many others. Projects are highly diverse and range from translational research to biologically-driven questions to algorithm / instrumentation development.
Profile
Leonel is head of the Advanced Bioimaging Unit, joint effort between Universidad de la Republica and Institut Pasteur of Montevideo. His lab work in developing imaging using two-photon/FLIM/hyperspectral instrumentation and methods which is supported by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
The main research topics in his Lab are the development of new methods, software/hardware, and applications of fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy to study biological problems. At the Advanced Bioimaging Unit (IPMontevideo & UdelaR), they are focused on applying lifetime and hyperspectral multiphoton fluorescence microscopy to study cells and tissues in their native environment.
Institut Pasteur de Montevideo - Uruguay