Parahydrogen-induced polarization in supercritical and volatile media (highP-PHIP)

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Jan-Bernd Hövener; Andrey Pravdivtsev, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology ; Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 562203308

This project aims to enhance the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by advancing hyperpolarization techniques, specifically parahydrogen-induced polarization using side arm hydrogenation (PHIP-SAH) and signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE), in non-polar solvents like pentane and supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂). We will engineer a high-pressure pH₂-based polarizer (above 200 bar) compatible with these solvents (and traditional acetone and chloroform solvents), synthesize Rh and Ir catalysts tailored for efficient PHIP-SAH and SABRE processes, and develop derivatives of pyruvate, oxobutanoate, and ketoglutarate to enable their polarization with PHIP-SAH and SABRE in non-polar solvents. Quality control protocols will be established, including a purification process to ensure in vivo compatibility through cell viability studies and analytical methods such as mass spectrometry and NMR. This interdisciplinary work integrates medical physics, engineering, chemistry, and biomedical imaging expertise to improve hyperpolarized MRI for metabolic and preclinical imaging, emphasizing precision and reproducibility. The project can potentially establish hyperpolarized MRI as a transformative tool in molecular imaging, paving the way for accessible hyperpolarization methods for future clinical applications in metabolic research and diagnostics.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants