Lipid Coated Microbubbles - Interview with Mitra Aliabouzer, GWU

Explain the need for accurate particle characterization and quantification in your research area.

Accurate size distribution plays a key role in our studies.  Modeling behavior of suspensions of microbubbles and comparing them with our experimental results need accurate size and number of particles.

• To be able to predict material properties of microbubble suspensions (surface dilatational and shear elasticity and viscosity), we perform attenuation studies using pulse echo technique. To estimate those properties, we match our experimental curves with theoretical models to characterize microbubbles with varying shell chemistries (lipid or protein encapsulations). Accurate size and numbers of particles in the solution is critical to the property estimation methodology.
• For tissue engineering applications, we treat human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with low intensity ultrasound in the presence of lipid-coated microbubbles to enhance their proliferation and differentiation.  Once again knowing the size and concentration is critical for this application.