Objective Hyperpolarized (HP) magnetic resonance imaging has emerged as a promising method for probing the biological characteristics of living tissue. A sensor molecule (e.g. pyruvate, fumarate, acetate) is hyperpolarized and injected into a patient, and the resulting metabolic flux can be used to assess cell viability, tumour response to therapy, and perform pH mapping, to name a few examples. Two significant barriers stand in the way of the widespread implementation of HP imaging: (1) the current hyperpolarization method, dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (dDNP) is cumbersome, expensive, and requires expertise to operate the equipment, and; (2) preclinical method development relies heavily on the use of animal models which inhibits rapid screening of experiments. To overcome these limitations, in this project I will: (1) implement parahydrogen-induced polarization as the hyperpolarization method, which is significantly cheaper, easier to use, and can produce the hyperpolarized metabolites at a higher rate than dDNP, and; (2) perform the hyperpolarized imaging in organ-on-a-chip devices, which closely mimic in vivo conditions but allow for experiments to be performed at a greater rate, and can use human tissue as opposed to animal tissue to more closely mimic real conditions. The specific focus in this project will be to investigate whether HP metabolic imaging can provide insight into the efficacy of heptoblastoma treatments in human liver tissue. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologymuscular dystrophiesengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsengineering and technologymedical engineeringdiagnostic imagingmagnetic resonance imagingengineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesmicrotechnologyorgan on a chip Keywords Microfluidics In vitro cell and tissue imaging Programme(s) HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme Topic(s) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01-01 - MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 Call for proposal HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme HORIZON-AG-UN - HORIZON Unit Grant Coordinator FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE BIOENGINYERIA DE CATALUNYA Net EU contribution € 206 641,20 Address Carrer baldiri reixac planta 2a 10-12 08028 Barcelona Spain See on map Region Este Cataluña Barcelona Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Partners (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all VITALA TECHNOLOGIES SL Spain Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address Calle mina 33 08221 Terrassa See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Este Cataluña Barcelona Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE Israel Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address Herzl street 234 7610001 Rehovot See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
