Prof. Aldo Badano, FDA Washington

Abstract:

The ability to image biomolecular interactions within cells and living organisms will constitute a scientific breakthrough with fundamental applications for the molecular understanding of biological processes, for the design of high‐specificity pharmacological approaches, and for the immediate assessment of response to therapy. In this talk, I will describe BICXS (Biomolecular Interactions using Coherent X‐ray Scattering), a novel approach based on small‐angle x‐ray scattering signatures of molecular probes that are indicative of the level of interaction between two targeted proteins or biomolecules. I will discuss the relative advantages of BICXS with respect to other methods under development for in vivo biomolecular interaction imaging including techniques based on positron emission tomography and on bioluminescence resonance energy transfer. In comparison, BICXS has the potential to provide increased spatial and structural resolution while allowing for deep tissue imaging.