Our lab explores novel treatments for brain tumors based on focused ultrasound (FUS)-technology augmenting innovative anticancer drugs delivery. Indeed FUS, in conjunction with intravenously administrated microbubbles, is able of temporary permeabilize both the blood-brain and the brain-tumor barriers (BBB and BTB, respectively), facilitating the access of therapeutics into tumors.
Technological facility includes:
- a motorized system for control and target BBB/BTB opening in mice, rats and rabbits;
- transducers for transcranial acoustic signals transmission and detection;
- a monitoring system of MBs activity ensuring safety to the permeabilization protocols;
- a system for monitoring animals physiological state.
The laboratory works synergically with the CIMETA center (Interdepartmental Center for Comparative Medicine, Alternative Techniques and Aquaculture) of the University of Rome Tor Vergata.