Development and evaluation of dynamic nuclear polarization for vascular and perfusion imaging at 1.5 tesla

• Applicants: Dr. Sebastian Fischer; Professor Dr. Thomas F. Prisner; Professor Dr. Thomas J. Vogl; Professor Dr. Stephan Zangos
• Subject Area: Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, Radiobiology ; Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology ; Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
• Term: from 2015 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 263401258

Aim of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of dynamic nuclear polarization in a magnetic field of 1.5 tesla for in-vivo contrast imaging. The technique of generating hyperpolarized water molecules to be used as a contrast agent could possibly be an inert alternative to gadolinium based contrast agents currently used.It is planned to test this novel technique for vascular and perfusion imaging in two murine models: transgene mice developing hepatocellular carcinomas shall evaluate the power of the dnp technique in comparison to conventional gadolinium based contrast imaging in carcinoma diagnostics. The possible usage in ischemia diagnostics is planned to be evaluated in a murine stroke model.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Persons: Sigrid Kämmerer; Philipp Schöps