Objective
Xenon biosensors have an outstanding potential to increase the significance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in molecular imaging and to combine the advantages of MRI with the high sensitivity of hyperpolarized Xe-129 and the specificity of a functionalized contrast agent. Based on new detection schemes (Hyper-CEST method) in Xe MRI, this novel concept in molecular diagnostics will be made available for biomedical applications. The advancement focuses on high-sensitivity in vitro diagnostics for localization of tumour cells in cell cultures and first demonstrations on animal models based on a transferrin-functionalized biosensor. Such a sensor will enable detection of subcutaneous tumours at high sensitivity without any background signal. More detailed work on the different available Hyper-CEST contrast parameters focuses on an absolute quantification of new molecular markers that will improve non-invasive tumour diagnostics significantly. NMR detection of functionalized Xe biosensors have the potential to close the sensitivity gap between modalities of nuclear medicine like PET/SPECT and MRI without using ionizing radiation or making compromises in penetration depth like in optical methods.
Field of science
- /medical and health sciences/clinical medicine/radiology/nuclear medicine
- /engineering and technology/environmental biotechnology/biosensing
- /engineering and technology/electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering/electronic engineering/sensors/biosensors
- /engineering and technology/medical engineering/diagnostic imaging/magnetic resonance imaging
- /natural sciences/physical sciences/nuclear physics
- /natural sciences/chemical sciences/inorganic chemistry/inorganic compounds
Call for proposal
ERC-2009-StG
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
ERC-SG - ERC Starting GrantHost institution
12489 Berlin
Germany
Beneficiaries (1)
12489 Berlin
