Klaus Wormuth - Biomedical Raman

Abstract
Another type of microbeam, the Raman microprobe, uses a finely focused beam of light to extract chemical and morphological information from organic and inorganic materials. Raman imaging involves the rastering of a microscopically focused laser spot through a sample, and the collection of Raman spectral information at each pixel in the imaged area. The relatively recent combination of high throughput confocal optics with sensitive CCD detectors allows 3D Raman imaging (mapping) of materials at near diffraction-limited spatial resolutions within a reasonable amount of time.

This presentation will give a tutorial background on Raman spectroscopy and imaging, along with a discussion of the exciting application of these methods in the biomedical field. Raman microprobes help elucidate the chemistry and morphology of complex biomaterials such as the drug release coatings applied to drug eluting stents, or time-release micro-spheres for drug delivery. Raman microprobes provide critical histological information on cancerous tissues, diseased bone, or tissues exposed to medical devices. Raman microprobes inserted into the human body reveal the chemical composition of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries of a diseased heart.

Biography
Dr. Klaus Wormuth is Principal Scientist in the Surface Characterization group at SurModics, a leading supplier of biocompatibility and drug delivery coating technology for medical device applications. His responsibilities include research and application of methods for the characterization of coating chemistry and morphology. Current interests include confocal Raman and scanning probe microscopic imaging of bioactive surfaces.

Klaus received his Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington, and did postdoctoral work at the Max Plank Institute for Biophysical Chemistry and Exxon Research and Engineering Co. in the fields of microemulsions and colloidal dispersions. Subsequently, he held positions as senior research engineer at the 3M Co. and research specialist at Imation Corp. working on coatings of colloidal particles for data storage and ink jet printing applications. Prior to joining SurModics, he also held positions at the Max Plank Institute for Colloids and Surfaces and the Technical University of Berlin in research on the encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles into polymer latex.