Publications

Assessing the Accuracy of Bioluminescence Image-Guided Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy of Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumors Using a Small Animal Irradiator
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Our recent publication in Radiation Research, “Assessing the Accuracy of Bioluminescence Image-Guided Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy of Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumors Using a Small Animal Irradiator” is a collaboration between the DaCosta Lab and Dr. Robert Weersink. In this preclincal study, Dr. Sara Rapic (former Post-doctoral fellow) and Timothy Samuel (Ph.D. candidate) demonstrated the improved accuracy of using 3-dimensional bioluminescence imaging (BLI) to deliver targeted high dose radiotherapy in orthotopic mouse models of pancreatic cancer. This BLI image-guided precision in the delivery of radiation therapy to pancreatic tumors in vivo ensures the precision of the treatment using a novel small animal irradiator. This methodology allows us to…

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Intraoperative Fluorescence Imaging with Aminolevulinic Acid Decets Grossly Occult Breast Cancer: A Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial is published in Breast Cancer Research
 970 1030 DaCosta Lab

After a lengthy journey, our paper “Intraoperative fluorescence imaging with aminolevulinic acid detects grossly occult breast cancer: a phase II randomized controlled trial” has been published in Breast Cancer Research as an open access article. The journal is widely read globally by general surgeons and breast cancer clinicians, so we are pleased it will receive broad clinical exposure and impact specifically in (breast) surgical oncology. This trial, led by Dr. DaCosta, was conducted at The Princess Margaret Cancer Center (Toronto, Canada) and demonstrates the importance of strong collaborations between our (imaging) scientists and clinicians at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center.  For…

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Dr. DaCosta to Deliver Keynote Presentation at St Michael’s 4th Annual Life Sciences Career Symposium
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The St. Michael’s Hospital Research Student Association’s annual Life Sciences Career Symposium aims to connect trainees to distinguished experts in the Life Sciences. This year’s Symposium will take place on July 9th, 2021, featuring keynote speakers Dr. Samantha Yammine and Dr. Ralph DaCosta. Dr.DaCosta will headline the Biotechnology and Innovation session (1-3PM), sharing his experiences on his journey to becoming an academic scientist and entrepreneur in cancer imaging. Register here

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Dr. DaCosta participates in Annual 2021 MBP Career Symposium
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The annual MBP Symposium (which combines the James Lepock Memorial (JLM) Symposium and the annual MBP Alumni Night) is an important MBP event that provides an opportunity for MBP students to present their research in a conference setting. The MBP Symposium fosters scientific debate across disciplines, streams and institutes. MBP students have the opportunity to showcase their research in the form of either a scientific poster or oral presentation at the Symposium, and best presenters are recognized with merit awards. This event also featured keynote addresses from both local and international experts in the field of Medical Biophysics. This event…

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Dr. Niloufar Khosravi featured on U of T Faculty of Dentistry Website
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Niloufar Khosravi, a DaCosta Lab PhD student alumna was recently featured on U of T’s Faculty of Dentistry site. In the Article, “U of T Researchers Map Regenerative Cells in Implant Wounds” Niloufar summarized her work recently published in Biomaterials.

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Intraoperative Fluorescence Imaging with Aminolevulinic Acid Detects Grossly Occult Breast Cancer: A Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial: Manuscript accepted to Breast Cancer Research
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In 2009, the first patient was enrolled at Princess Margaret Cancer Center in this Phase II randomized controlled trial led by Dr. DaCosta in collaboration with surgeons Drs. Wey Leong and Alexandra Easson and pathologist Dr. Susan Done. The goal was to evaluate the clinical safety, feasibility and diagnostic performance of the PRODIGI handheld fluorescence imaging device combined with 5-ALA HCl for intraoperative visualization of invasive breast carcinomas. The Phase II trial was supported in large part by a $3M CIHR grant awarded to the DaCosta lab. Today, over a decade later, the manuscript for this study was accepted for…

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In Vivo Mesenchymal Progenitor Cell Dynamics: Dr. Niloufar Khosravi publishes in Biomaterials
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Niloufar Khosravi, a DaCosta Lab PhD student alumna, published in Biomaterials today: “New insights into spatio-temporal dynamics of mesenchymal progenitor cell ingress during peri implant wound healing: Provided by intravital imaging”. Abstract Surface topography drives the success of orthopedic and dental implants placed in bone, by directing the biology occurring at the tissue-implant interface. Over the last few decades, striking advancements have been made in the development of novel implant surfaces that enhance bone anchorage to their surfaces through contact osteogenesis: the combination of the two phenomena of recruitment and migration of mesenchymal progenitor cells to the implant surface, and…

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Dr. DaCosta discusses the origins of the lab and his serendipitous invention in UHN’s latest Behind the Breakthrough podcast episode
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Behind the Breakthrough, a podcast about the people behind the world-leading research at UHN, features Dr. Ralph DaCosta in Episode 7 of its second season. In this episode, Dr. DaCosta recollects his family’s immigration to Canada, his career path and serendipitous discovery that could revolutionize wound care. Hear about his groundbreaking work in visualizing cancer, his adventure becoming an inventor and entrepreneur, and how Terry Fox was the inspiration for his drive to enter cancer research.

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Dr. Ralph DaCosta joins UHN’s DORA Advisory Group
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In January, the Research Institutes at UHN signed the  San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), joining more than 1,500 institutions worldwide. DORA is a set of recommendations developed in 2012 by a group of editors and publishers of scholarly journals and is aimed at creating an improved and robust evaluation of the science and research impact of individuals and institutions. The UHN DORA Advisory Group was assembled to guide the implementation of these principles at the Research Institutes. This group is composed of a diverse group of PIs from across the seven UHN Research Institutes and will develop guidance…

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Engineering Functional Microvessels in Synthetic Polyurethane Random-Pore Scaffolds by Harnessing Perfusion Flow
 1030 1019 DaCosta Lab

Wright ME, Yu JK, Jain D, Maeda A, Yeh SA, DaCosta R, Lin CP, Santerre JS; Biomaterials. 2020 Jun 23;256:120183
doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120183. Online ahead of print.

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