Dara L. Kraitchman, M.S., Ph.D., V.M.D.

Dr. Kraitchman's research interests are concentrated on non-invasive imaging and minimally invasive treatment of cardiovascular disease and cancer. She has been actively involved in developing new methods to image myocardial function and perfusion using MRI. Current research interests are aimed at determining the optimal timing and method of administration of stem cells for cardiac regeneration using non-invasive MR fluoroscopic delivery and imaging. MRI, X-ray, and radiolabeling techniques include novel microencapsulation techniques to label stem cells to determine the location, quantity and biodistribution of stem cells after delivery as well as to noninvasively determine the efficacy of these therapies in acute myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.  Microencapsulation techniques are also used for enhanced stem cell engraftment.

She is also focused on the development of new animal models of human disease for noninvasive imaging studies and the development of promising new therapies in clinical trials for companion animals.  Novel embolics are being studied for the treatment of brain, lung, and bone cancer in pets with spontaneously occurring disease. Recent veterinary clinical trials are focusing on the combination of immunotherapy with cryoablation for the treatment of bone cancer. In addition, low-cost devices for third world countries are being repurposed for the veterinary market to enhance therapies for pets.

The Kraitchman lab concentrates on clinical translation of minimally invasive imaging technology that uses new molecular imaging and nanomedicine techniques to enable stem cell tracking and enhanced engraftment as well as interventional radiology treatments for oncological applications. Recent research efforts in the lab have concentrated on developing x-ray visible stem cells for cardiovascular applications. Using multimodality imaging techniques, the research team confirms stem cell viability with PET and bioluminescence. Then, using conventional devices currently in clinical trials, Kraitchman's researchers image and target stem cells to the heart directly using MRI fluoroscopy with a specialized MRI-compatible device or x-ray fluoroscopic imager.  Novel embolics have been used in client-owned pets for the treatment of brain tumors, and MR-guided cryotherapy is being combined with immunotherapeutics for the treatment of osteosarcoma in dogs.  The Kraitchman lab is also developing new devices for the treatment of benign and malignant masses in dogs and cats.