Scientists at Duke University have made a significant advancement utilizing hyperpolarized MR, which is used to track small molecules and their biochemistry. A newly developed MR technology records biochemical interactions in real time. According to a paper published in the March 25 issue of Science Advances, a new class of molecular tags can enhance MR signals by 10,000-fold and generate long hyperpolarization signals that last an hour or more.

Diazirines are a type of molecular tag with a long hyperpolarization lifetime and they have already been introduced into a long list of biomolecules: hormones, eplileptic drugs, antibiotics, anti-cancer agents, amino acids, lipids and proteins. The researchers were able to quickly hyperpolarize a diazirine-containing molecule, enhancing its MR signals for over an hour. Due to their widespread applicability, Theis said that diazirine tags can be considered universal and can be used to target agents for specific diseases in the future.

The scientists have named the technology SABRE-SHEATH and they believe it is an incredibly versatile hyperpolarization modality that can be utilized with a wide variety of chemical structures at a fraction of the current cost for similar technologies. Until now, the capability of MR to track chemical transformations in the body has been limited by low sensitivity, necessitating the use of massive magnetic fields to detect small numbers of molecules. Their newly developed technique shows body chemistry in action via “boosted signals” resulting from hyperpolarization that magnifies the signal up to 10,000 times.
Thomas Theis, Assistant Research Professor in Duke’s Department of Chemistry and co-lead author on the paper, explained that “hyperpolarization amplifies MR signals by 4 to 5 orders of magnitude, which now enables detection of small molecules at low concentrations” allowing for real-time imaging of in-vivo biochemistry. These tags could pave the way for an expanded use of MR to track metabolic processes inexpensively and within the confines of a doctors office. The researchers say that this technology could give a detailed picture of a disease state to guide diagnosis and treatment.

The new technology developed by Theis and colleagues makes it possible to track and localize metabolic transformations as they happen. “The alternative technology can be installed at a fraction of the cost, roughly $10,000, and could be installed in any doctor’s office because of very small space requirements,” said Theis. This technology has the potential to illuminate a number of metabolic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

When asked what this technological advancement might mean for patients, Theis said: “Imagine if a cancer patient comes into the clinic or a doctor’s office and the doctor wants to probe the biochemistry in the patient’s tumor to decide on the appropriate treatment. With the demonstrated technology the doctor can see, on the image, into which other molecules the injected marker is converted and how rapidly that happens, revealing all critical information about the tumor and its development.“ In essence, the technology can help a physician tell where the biochemistry is happening and how fast.

MRI Homepage