Lanthanide-Based Probes in Molecular Imaging
Séminaire du Dr Eva Jakab Toth (Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Orléans)
Abstract :
One important field in molecular imaging is the detection of physico-chemical parameters of tissues, concentration of ions, metabolites, etc. by smart, activatable probes. MRI is well adapted to the design of responsive probes, involving Gd3+-based or PARACEST (Paramagnetic Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer) agents. The MRI efficacy (relaxivity or CEST properties) of the probe has to be selectively influenced, based on coordination chemistry concepts, by the particular biomarker that we wish to detect. We develop potential smart contrast agents to detect cation or neurotransmitter concentration changes in the extracellular space or to monitor enzyme activity.