TOMI
The Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging (TOMI) Lab is a multidisciplinary team, based in NUI, Galway. Martin Leahy and his group at NUIG-TOMI are leaders in biophotonics and tissue optics. This skill-set is at the core of STARSTEM and enables Prof. Leahy to effectively orchestrate the efforts of the different specialists in the team. To date, TOMI have developed techniques for structural and functional imaging of tissues to help understand many diseases. This includes nano-sensitive optical coherence tomography, in-vivo imaging of microcirculation, and design of nanostars with muilti-branch structures to enhance the photoacoustic imaging effect.
National University of Ireland, Galway
NUIG is one of Ireland’s foremost educational and research institutions. With over 17,000 students and more than 2,200 staff, NUIG has a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence. NUI Galway is ranked in the top 1% of universities globally and now rank 243 in the world in the QS World University Rankings.
The identification of priority research areas and subsequent investments in these areas have enabled the University to develop a critical mass of expertise which has led to significant success in securing competitive research grants, nationally and internationally. With 20 subject areas now featuring in the top tier globally, three are ranked in the top 200 (Medicine, Earth & Marine Sciences and Geography), English Language and Literature is ranked in the top 150 globally and Nursing is ranked in the top 100 in the world.
TOMI in STARSTEM
STARSTEM is coordinated by Prof. Martin Leahy of TOMI. His primary focus is on the scientific integration of the wide range of research disciplines that underpin this project. Additionally, Prof. Leahy will deal with the legal, ethical, and contractual issues associated with our EU-funded multi-partner initiative. TOMI is also responsible for the development of the novel gold nanostars, and for their seminal research that has already shown great potential as an amplifier for optoacoustic imaging.