Our group works on the development of magnetic resonance detection techniques for novel targeted contrast agents. 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 xenon and the specificity of a functionalized contrast agent. To explore this potential, the European Research Council (ERC) provides funding in terms of a Starting Grant over 5 years (BiosensorImaging, GA No. 242710).
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. Such a sensor will enable detection of tumours at high sensitivity without any background signal. NMR detection of functionalized Xe biosensors has 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.
