John Ronald, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Medical Biophysics
Director, Imaging Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
Western University
London, ON Canada
Faculty Host: Fanny Chapelin, Ph.D.
Seminar Information
Molecular imaging aims to develop tools that non-invasively visualize the spatiotemporal distribution of disease-related molecular and cellular events deep within the body. This field also seeks to improve therapeutic outcomes by identifying which patients are best suited for specific treatments, directly tracking the therapy in real time, and visualizing both on-target and off-target biological effects of the therapy. In my lab, we leverage advances in molecular and synthetic biology alongside imaging reporter genes to create preclinical and translationally relevant imaging tools. These tools are designed for various imaging modalities, including bioluminescence imaging (BLI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic particle imaging (MPI), and positron emission tomography (PET).
In this talk, I will highlight some of our efforts in gene-based cancer theranostics, CRISPR-based genome editing, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapies.
Dr. John Ronald is the Co-Director of the Imaging Laboratories at the Robarts Research Institute and an Associate Professor in Medical Biophysics at The University of Western Ontario. He completed his doctoral studies at Western and a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University. His lab combines advances in molecular and synthetic biology with multimodal imaging to build new tools for early detection and treatment of cancer, as well as non-invasive monitoring of cell, gene and genome therapies.