Cindy Lawler | Search PubMed

PubMed2003

Multimodal optical imaging.

The recent resurgence of interest in the use of intravital microscopy in lung research is a manifestation of extraordinary progress in visual imaging and optical microscopy. This review evaluates the tools and instrumentation available for a number of imaging modalities, with particular attention to recent technological advances, and addresses recent progress in use of optical imaging techniques in basic pulmonary research.1 Limitations of existing methods and anticipated future developments are also identified. Although there have also been major advances made in the use of magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and X-ray and computed tomography to image intact lungs and while these technologies have been instrumental in advancing the diagnosis and treatment of patients, the purpose of this review is to outline developing optical methods that can be evaluated for use in basic research in pulmonary biology.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Partnership for Parkinson's disease research: patient-researcher-clinician-sponsor.

Parkinson's disease (PD) appears to arise from the interaction of three events-an individual's inherited genetic susceptibility, their subsequent environmental exposures, and their age. We clearly need to intensify efforts to understand the environmental triggers of PD, the importance of the timing of exposure to these triggers, and the interplay between these exposures and a persons underlying genetic constitution and susceptibilities. This knowledge, once generated, will lead to better detection of the earliest stages of PD, to improved therapeutics, and most importantly, to viable prevention strategies so that people need not suffer from environmentally-caused PD. Many promising lines of investigation are already supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and the National Institute of Aging (NIA) and other public and private organizations. In order to accelerate the pace of progress in this field, the NIEHS is developing a Consortium Centers Program that will provide a formal mechanism for "cross-talk" between PD clinicians, basic research scientists, and patient advocates. The Consortium will seek to identify and support novel approaches and research ventures that might not otherwise be pursued by scientists working in isolation. The NIEHS will also continue to explore ways to promote more mechanism-based research to understand putative environmental triggers for PD in concert with defined genetic susceptibilities.

Humans↗