Melissa Skala

We develop label-free optical imaging technologies and quantitative analysis tools to study metabolic heterogeneity in cancer, stem cell function, and immune cell behavior. Optical metabolic imaging (OMI) uses two-photon fluorescence lifetime microscopy of metabolic co-enzymes (NADH and FAD, Figure right) to quantify cell redox state and enzyme-binding activity. This approach is advantageous because fluorophores that are already present in the cells can be used to monitor metabolism with single cell resolution. We have developed OMI alongside image analysis tools and population density models to quantify cellular heterogeneity within intact 3D samples. In parallel, we have developed photothermal optical coherence tomography (PT-OCT) to monitor changes in absorber concentrations in the eye and in tumors. Ongoing projects require active collaborations and mentorship of trainees from diverse backgrounds in medicine, engineering, biochemistry, and biology. Please see publications for a comprehensive view of projects and applications of these technologies.