Molecular & Cellular Probes

Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy is a powerful technique in part because of the multitude of methods available to modulate signal and generate contrast. This is true as well with exogenous molecular probes which can be detected in various ways. Probes based on para- or superparamagnetic compounds or materials (Gd, Mn, Fe) function by changing the relaxation times of water molecules in their vicinity. Another approach is to exploit the chemical exchange saturation transfer mechanism to create contrast. Still other probes are detected directly using H-1 (proton) or a heteronuclei and these can also be hyperpolarized to increase sensitivity. To further improve specificity, these compounds can be targeted to a specific pathology, protein, or receptor. Alternately the properties of the probe (relaxivity, exchange rate, chemical shift) can change in response to an environmental stimulus such a pH change or enzymatic activity. This lecture will provide an overview of the different types of probes using examples from the recent literature to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches.

Acknowledgements

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References

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