Vanderbilt Brain Tumor Center
Innovative Technologies
Vanderbilt University Medical Center is one of the nation’s premier medical institutions. One of the strengths of VUMC is the Vanderbilt Brain Tumor Center. What sets the Vanderbilt Brain Tumor Center aside from most other centers for brain tumor research is access to innovative technologies.
- Brain Tumor Imaging
- Functional MRI (FMRI) Research
- Laser Spectroscopy to Image Brain Tumors
- Surgical Technology Development
- “Molecular Fingerprinting” of Brain Cancer
- Fluorescence Imaging of Brain Cancer
Brain Tumor Imaging
One of the strengths of the Vanderbilt Brain Tumor Center is the innovative research in brain tumor imaging. At Vanderbilt, our research scientists and clinicians are searching for new ways to visualize and detect brain tumors. We are one of the few medical centers in the world with a comprehensive imaging center. Institute of Imaging Science - John Gore
From the research laboratory to clinical applications, we are exploring new ways to image the brain and its function and are leading the way in applying these innovative technologies to the problem of brain cancer. From functional MRI scanning, to laser detection of brain tumors, to fluorescence imaging of brain cancer, to development of new image-guided surgical systems, Vanderbilt is leading the way to develop new technologies and apply them to the treatment of brain cancer.
Functional MRI (FMRI) Research
We are an international leader in the application of functional MRI in brain research. We routinely use functional mapping during surgery in combination with functional MRI scanning to detect functionally important areas of the brain – such as language and motor function – and use this information to guide surgical removal of brain cancers. We have an ongoing clinical trial to link the information obtained during functional MRI scanning to our navigational computer during surgery. These studies are conducted in collaboration with research scientists in the Department of Radiological Sciences. (See Surgical Technology Development below)
John C. Gore, Ph.D.
Dr. John Gore is Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Physics, and Director of the Center for Imaging Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is an international expert in the field of MRI research.
Link to CV
Ronald R. Price, Ph.D.
Dr. Price is Professor of Radiological Sciences and is a leading expert on the development of non-invasive methods to image cancer.
Link to CV
Vicky Morgan, Ph.D.
Dr. Morgan is Assistant Professor of Radiological Sciences with an interest and expertise in functional MRI, diffusion tensor, cardiac MRI and image processing research.
Link to CV
Laser Spectroscopy to Image Brain Tumors
Vanderbilt is the only academic medical institution in the country to study the application of laser spectroscopy to the detection of brain tumors during surgery. We have completed the initial phase of a clinical trial – the first of its kind – to study if a laser light, applied to the surface of the brain during surgery, can detect the difference between normal brain tissue and tumor. Light that is reflected from brain tumor tissue is different from light reflected from normal brain and these differences can be used to identify brain tumors and help to remove them. This clinical trial is ongoing and is funded by the NIH/National Cancer Institute. The goal of this research is to develop a portable device that can be used during an operation to assist in identifying brain cancer. These studies are being done in collaboration with Dr. Anita Mahadevan-Jansen in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, Ph.D.
Dr. Mahadevan-Jansen is Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and is a leading expert on the use of laser spectroscopy to identify brain tumors.
Link to CV
Surgical Technology Development
Vanderbilt is one of the world’s leading centers for surgical technology development. In collaboration with research scientists in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the surgeons of the Vanderbilt Brain Tumor Center are developing non-invasive techniques to detect brain cancer. These studies are done in collaboration with Dr. Robert Galloway and Dr. Michael Miga in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Robert L. Galloway, Jr., Ph.D.
Dr. Galloway is Professor of both Biomedical Engineering and Neurological Surgery, and the Director of the Technology Center. He is a pioneer in the development of image-guided neurosurgery.
Link to CV
Michael Miga, Ph.D.
Dr. Miga is Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Director of the Biomedical Modeling Laboratory. With research interests in image-guided surgery and the biomechanics of soft tissue deformation, he has developed innovative technologies such as laser range scanners to detect brain tumors during surgery.
Link to CV
“Molecular Fingerprinting” of Brain Cancer
Identification of unique proteins in cancer cells using MALDI
Vanderbilt Medical Center is one of the few centers in the world to have a fully dedicated mass spectrometer to analyze proteins in cells and tissues. This technology, known formally as matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, or MALDI, is a very powerful technology that allows investigators to look into tumor cells and cancer tissues to determine if there are biological markers at the protein level that are unique to the tumors. The identification of these tumor specific markers provides a “molecular fingerprint” of the cancer. At Vanderbilt, we are studying brain cancer using this “molecular fingerprinting” technology in collaboration with Dr. Richard Caprioli, Professor of Biochemistry. The goal of this research is to improve our understanding of brain cancer, understand differences between different types of brain cancer, develop better therapies and ultimately to improve outcomes.
Dr. Caprioli is the Stanford Moore Chair in Biochemistry and the Director of the Mass Spectrometry Research Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Link to CV
Fluorescence Imaging of Brain Cancer
Optical or fluorescence imaging is an emerging technology that allows scientists and clinicians to improve their ability to “see” cancers in the body. The idea is that if the cancers can be seen at earlier stages, they can be treated earlier. In the brain, infiltrating gliomas are difficult to distinguish from the normal surrounding tissue. At Vanderbilt, we are using fluorescence imaging to develop new contrast agents to detect gliomas. These new contrast agents are specific for gliomas and extensive laboratory research is being conducted to develop these agents for clinical use. The contrast agents allow the brain cancer cells to fluoresce. These studies are done in collaboration with Dr. Darryl J. Bornhop.
Darryl J. Bornhop, Ph.D.
Dr. Bornhop is Professor of Chemistry at Vanderbilt University and is an international expert on the development of lanthanide chelates for contrast detection of cancers.
Link to CV
