Super-resolution imaging of fine needle aspirate specimens
Miss Catriona Douglas, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing (University of Glasgow)
Prof Gail McConnell, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (University of Strathclyde)
Summary
This PhD project focuses on the development of an advanced optical microscope tailored to improve the analysis of fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens. FNA is widely used for diagnosing cancers but faces challenges such as inadequate cell sampling and suboptimal imaging quality, which can delay diagnosis and lead to inaccurate interpretation. The proposed solution aims to overcome these limitations by integrating enhanced optical resolution, advanced contrast techniques, and AI-powered image analysis into a novel microscope. By utilizing 3D-printed optics and computational imaging methods, the microscope will offer superior resolution for clearer visualization of cellular structures. Additionally, phase contrast and fluorescence imaging will provide better differentiation of cell types and identification of pathological changes, while AI-driven software will ensure rapid and standardized analysis of samples.