My research interests are centered on using the knowledge about inherent chemical composition of biomaterials to predict their behavior and function in terms of diseases. More specifically I look at cells, tissues and bio-fluids in a biomedical setting to improve existing diagnostic methods for cancer detection using chemical imaging in the form of vibrational spectroscopy, i.e. infrared (IR) and Raman imaging. 

By combining spectroscopy, imaging and advanced machine learning approaches we develop novel modalities, which integrate structural and chemical information to provide a comprehensive view from molecule to tissue level as is shown on the diagram. The spectral markers not only allow recognition of cell types within tissues but also create a route to precise pathology detection and grading exceeding human capabilities. The acquired wealth of information will allow personalized medicine, where from a single patient’s biopsy the recurrence, metastasis or chemo-resistance risk will be estimated. Application of novel mid-infrared source will enable high throughput, large scale studies to be translated to the clinic. An easy access point to the clinic lays in serum screening, which holds great potential for early detection of multiple cancers from a single sample. Finally, new biomarkers will be developed using cell cultures, tissue mimics and other model systems, which will allow to broaden the spectrum of clinically-relevant applications of chemical imaging.

News

PhD Student position available!!
A 10-month stipend is available for a PhD student to work in the "Pancreatic cancer comprehensive histopathology based on chemical imaging " project.
Application deadline 6th August 2018
Details in the Homing section:

​Best poster award for Paulina
March 2018
Paulina has won the best poster award during 2nd WROCLAW SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS! Congratulations!

​
IR Imaging review is now online!
January 2018
The review of IR imaging biomedical field is now online in Analytical Chemistry:
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.analchem.7b05330​

Stipend for Magda
December 2017
Magda was awarded a stipend for scientific achievements for the best students by the AGH University Rector!! Congratulations!

New Master Students
August 2017
Congratulations to Justyna Skibinska and Magda Juszczyk on joining the team with stipends from Foundation for Polish Science!!

Master Student position available!!
A 2-year position ending in a master thesis is available with a 2000 PLN per month stipend.
Application deadline 30th July 2017
Details in the Homing section:

Homing

Covers

Spectroscopy Cover

Recent advances in instrumentation have enabled new forms of vibrational chemical imaging, including discrete-frequency infrared (DFIR) microscopy and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy. These technologies may represent a fundamental shift in how we approach spectroscopic imaging: Rather than collecting full spectra that contain redundant information, measuring a few important spectral frequencies may enable significant gains in speed, throughput, signal-to-noise ratio, and image quality.​

SEE THE PUBLICATION

Contact

Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology​

University of Illinois
​ in Urbana-Champaign

405 N Mathews Ave
Urbana, IL 61801

tomaszpwrobel@​gmail.com
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