Emphasis
The emphasis is on engineering of targeting and responsive molecular probes of high sensitivity and specificity for PET and SPECT (radiotracers), MR (T1, T2, CEST, hyperpolarized agents), EPR, CT, optical (fluorescent and bioluminescent probes), ultrasound (microbubbles) and photoacoustic imaging. The imaging agents may be based on nano- and micro-particles, liposomes, dendrimers, proteins, small organic and inorganic molecules etc., and detectable by one or more imaging modalities. Imaging agent development through methodologies such as chemical synthesis, biological mutagenesis, microfabrication, etc., may be pursued with an intent of leading to in vivo biomedical application.
Outcome
The goal of this program is to generate robust molecular probes, imaging agents and platforms for biomedical application across all disease areas to facilitate diagnostics and improve understanding of disease state, progression, and therapeutic response.
Additional emphasis
This program also supports the development of other imaging agents, for example:
- multimodal molecular probes (PET/MRI, PET/fluorescent, etc.)
- imaging reporter genes and reporter gene/imaging probe duos
- molecular probes as part of theranostic systems or biosensors
- imaging agents for cell labelling and in vivo tracking
- molecular probes for image-guided interventions
Note
The following related scientific areas are supported by other NIBIB programs:
- development of biomaterials is supported by the Biomaterials and Biomolecular Constructs program
- synthetic biology approaches are supported by the Synthetic Biology for Technology Development program
- development of associated imaging methods and related hardware/software is supported by NIBIB programs for specific imaging modalities
- image processing technology is supported by the Image Processing, Visualization, Perception and Display
Related News
Due to its high accuracy, lab-based PCR testing is the gold standard for infectious disease diagnostics. Yet PCR's availability is limited, especially in low-resource settings. New research suggests a new kind of test could be more streamlined without sacrificing performance.
To date, nine medical device developers participating in the RADx® Tech Independent Test Assessment Program have received emergency use authorization for at-home and point-of care test products that simultaneously detect COVID-19 and flu A/B.
Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have created innovative soft robots equipped with electronic skins and artificial muscles, allowing them to sense their surroundings and adapt their movements in real-time. These features make soft sensory robots highly adaptable and useful for enhancing medical diagnostics and treatments. Source: UNC Chapel Hill
Malignant primary brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer deaths among children and young adults with few therapeutic options. A preclinical study in Pharmaceutics shows that combining focused ultrasound with microbubbles opened the blood brain barrier to deliver immunotherapy into the brain of a large animal model.
NIBIB-supported researchers have developed a smart nanoprobe designed to infiltrate prostate tumors and send back a signal using an optical imaging technique known as Raman spectroscopy. The new probe, evaluated in mice, has the potential to determine tumor aggressiveness and could also enable sequential monitoring of tumors during therapy to quickly determine if a treatment strategy is working.