Dr. Ludo van Haasterecht, a PhD candidate at Vrije University, Amsterdam, shares insights into his research on biophotonics and its intersection with tissue engineering. This article delves into various imaging techniques and their significance in understanding collagen's role in wound healing.

Introduction

Hello Dr. van Haasterecht,

Can you start by introducing yourself? What are you currently working on, and how has your research been affected during this unusual period?

I am in my third year of a PhD program at Vrije University, focusing on biophotonics. My background is in medicine; I completed my bachelor's and master's degrees in Brussels, Belgium. My interest in reconstructive surgery began during an internship in Amsterdam. I applied for a project that, interestingly, has no direct medical ties, despite my initial reservations.

My research primarily investigates the rearrangement of the collagen matrix in human skin concerning scar formation and skin mobility during surgical procedures. The objective is to reduce tension in wounds to lower the risk of hypertrophic scarring. This is the foundation of my project, which is further refined by the microscopy techniques we will discuss.

So far, I have completed several papers and am currently working on a few more. I was eager to engage in lab work, but the pandemic altered those plans.

The past three months have been challenging, as it has been for many. I attempted to conduct clinical trials for my ongoing experiments, but everything has stalled. I focused on preparing my papers, but as time progressed, it became increasingly difficult. Fortunately, I managed to work from home, but the situation has been taxing. We are now approaching a quasi-normal state, yet my experiments depend on sourcing fresh human skin, which I typically acquire from cosmetic surgeries that are currently on hold. This has become my primary hurdle.

Wound Healing in Your PhD Research

Can we say that wound healing is one of the main themes of your PhD studies?

Absolutely, wound healing is a significant focus of my research. Specifically, I am studying pathological scarring, which is crucial for individual recovery after injuries. Scarring, particularly in the context of skin, presents numerous challenges. My PhD aims to delve into the creation of hypertrophic scars, especially concerning burn wounds.

Transition from Medicine to Biophotonics

You are a medical doctor working on biophotonics within the physics and astronomy department. How did this transition occur?

Typically, university medical centers are adjacent to universities. At Vrije University, they share nearly the same building, separated only by a street. There is a close geographical proximity between the medical center and my department. Collaborations between medical professionals and scientists are quite common. I work with Prof. van Zuijlen, a surgeon, and Prof. Marloes Groot, from the physics department, both of whom recognize the translational potential of biophotonics in skin and wound research. Their joint efforts led to this project, which has been an excellent opportunity for collaboration.

The Challenge of Transition

Was this transition smooth for you?

The transition was far from smooth, particularly at the outset, filled with ups and downs. The technical aspects were daunting, especially since my previous education focused on patient care. Suddenly, I found myself in a lab environment full-time, which was a significant adjustment.

Microscopy Techniques in Tissue Engineering

Wound healing is also an exciting area in tissue engineering. You have notable experience with burn wounds and utilize various imaging techniques. Your recent publication features an interesting method, Second Harmonic Generation (SHG). Can you elaborate on this technique?

SHG microscopy is my main technique for my PhD studies. This technology has been applied in skin research for decades. It specifically targets Type I and II collagen, which are abundant in skin, cartilage, and other tissues. This technique allows for the examination of collagen without damaging the samples, producing exquisite 3D images at the subcellular level.

Potential Applications in Tissue Engineering

Since SHG is based on collagen detection, can it be beneficial for tissue engineering? Can it be used with other polymers?

There are second harmonic dyes that function similarly. The technique's specificity arises from the molecular structure of collagen, which enables it to emit second harmonic signals due to its non-centrosymmetric nature. While other materials, like actin, can also emit SHG signals, they are present in much lower quantities, making detection challenging.

At a recent biofabrication conference, I anticipated discussions on this technique, given its relevance to collagenous tissues. It perplexes me why it's not more widely adopted in the field.

Concluding Remarks

I appreciate your time and insights! Best of luck with your ongoing research!

Thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation.

References

[1] Jaspers, Mariëlle EH, et al. “A systematic review on the quality of measurement techniques for the assessment of burn wound depth or healing potential.” Burns 45.2 (2019): 261–281.

[2] Kelly, A. A., et al. “Effective Enzymatic Debridement of Burn Wounds Depends on the Denaturation Status of Collagen.” Wound repair and regeneration: official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society.

[3] van Haasterecht, Ludo, et al. “Label-free stimulated Raman scattering imaging reveals silicone breast implant material in tissue.” Journal of biophotonics 13.5 (2020): e201960197.