Optical Imaging of Biological Specimens

This project is based on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging. The project has three main strands - the development of advanced OCT imaging techniques including advanced offset OCT imaging, the imaging of Amphioxus with a view to in vivo observation of spinal column development processes and OCT imaging of Euphasia Superba (Antarctic Krill) to support developments in acoustic imaging and stock assessment of this globally important species.

The key objectives for the research include:

The demonstration of OCT techniques in a range of novel biologically relevant applications.
The use of non-invasive imaging for live samples to monitor the regrowth of important spinal functions in single individuals over extended timescales.
The development of advanced models for use in developing models for Krill acoustic scattering to enable enhanced stock assessments to be undertaken.
The developments of new techniques in OCT to enable enhanced information to be obtained at precisely chosen depths into samples.

The student will be responsible for:

Carrying out OCT measurements in collaboration with colleagues in Physics, Biology and the Australian Antarctic Division.
Developing new and innovative OCT systems for practical applications. This may include the adaptation of existing systems or the development of wholly new OCT devices.
Characterising the imaging potential of OCT systems which may include novel applications of non-gaussian light beams within OCT.
Develop new techniques for analysing OCT image interpretation including advanced edge detection.