To this end, we are pursuing the approach of translating current scientific concepts to diagnostics. These include novel magnetic resonance methods such as spin hyperpolarization and saturation transfer in exchange-coupled spin systems. We also investigate bioscientific aspects of established contrast agents with regard to their long-term stability and expand the understanding of their biochemical behavior.
Following its establishment with the support by the Dieter Morszeck Foundation, the divisionbegan its work in spring 2023 in the newly installed Joint NMR Facility (jointly operated with the Department of Drug Discovery) and has a strong connection to the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy at Heidelberg University due to its scientific focus. The techniques we have developed are also used in various exploratory studies with international cooperation partners. The paradigm shift pursued in our laboratory aims to combine the advantages of non-invasive imaging such as MRI with the high sensitivity and specificity of functionalized reporters. This is a crucial building block of early detection and therapy monitoring and will eventually close the gap between nuclear medicine modalities such as PET / SPECT and MRI without using ionizing radiation or compromising on penetration depth as with optical methods. A key aspect of this is to fundamentally re-address the low sensitivity of conventional MRI at the molecular level and thus make molecular markers and processes that were previously impossible to visualize visible in MRI.
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