research focus

1. Transvaginal Imaging Probe for Cervical Cancer Diagnosis (GynoSight)

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in women. The current techniques for clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer include visual examination of the cervix using acetic acid and Lugol's iodine and confirmation using histopathology tests. The LEAP Lab is developing novel label-free transvaginal imaging probe using the optical modality for gaining additional information and helping clinicians to make an informed decision on cervical cancer diagnosis. 

Ref: 1) Karthika et al., Journal of Biomedical Optics (Link) (Open access) 1) Karthika et al., Journal of Biophotonics, Wiley (Link), 2) Keerthana A. et al. (Link), 2) Rahaman et al., J. Biomedical Optics, SPIE, 2023 (Link)

2. High Resolution Microendoscopy (HRME)

High Resolution Microendoscopy (HRME) is an imaging modality for observing the microscopic morphology of the cellular arrangement on the periphery of region of interest of tissue. HRME helps to quantify key parameters such as inter-nuclear spacing, nuclear crowding/abnormal nuclei per mm2, size of nuclei/nuclear area, nuclear to cytoplasmic area ratio, nuclear eccentricity, and pleomorphism which helps to differentiate normal from disease localized region of tissue. The lab is developing an HRME system for quantifying the HRME parameters in real-time while the clinician is performing the diagnosis.   

Ref: 1) Anjanaa S et al., IEEE IPC 2025 (Link), 2) Anjanaa S et al. IEEE IPC 2025 (Link), 3) Pyarilal and Sivakumar et al., Journal of Expert Review on Molecular Diagnostics, 2025 (Link).

3. Multispectral polarization-sensitive Intraoral Cancer Probe for Low-Resource Setting 

Currently, the visual inspection by the clinician in the primary health center is inadequate for accurately diagnosing the type and stage of oral cancer. Using multispectral polarization-sensitive imaging that selectively excites the intraoral cavity with different wavelengths based on the absorption peaks of HbO2 and Hb can help in characterizing the tissue. The LEAP Lab is designing and developing a portable and affordable intraoral cavity probe that can be used in the primary health center, potentially aiding the clinician in improving the efficacy of oral cancer diagnosis. 

Ref: 1) Karthika J. et al. FiO, Optica, 2023 (Link).

4. Optical Techniques for Breast Cancer Margin Assessment

Cancer margin assessment is key to improving the success rate of Breast Conservation Surgery (Lumpectomy). The current technique for performing the cancer margin assessment uses histopathology, which is time-consuming and requires skilled resource settings and personnel. The LEAP Lab is developing a novel optical probe that can be used for in-vivo cancer margin assessment in an intraoperative hospital setting. 

Ref: 1) Kamal et al. J. Biophotonics, 2022 (Link) and 2) Pal et al. IEEE TBME, 2021 (Link)

4. Transillumination Imaging

Our laboratory focuses on advancing cervical cancer screening by visualizing what lies beneath the surface. Conventional colposcopy often misses deep-seated vascular changes because it relies on reflected light from the surface. Our research utilizes Spatially Offset Transillumination to bridge this diagnostic gap. By using specialized image processing techniques, one can extract high-contrast maps of these vessels, providing clinicians with a more comprehensive look at tissue health and potential abnormalities hidden from the naked eye. 

Ref: 1) Karthika et al. Opitca Biophotonic Congress 2025 (Link), 2) Prerna et al. IEEE EMBS 2025 (Link)