Team:TU-Eindhoven/Project

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Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides the clinical and research field with high quality images of a patient’s body. Therefore, MRI has become an irreplaceable tool for detecting cancers. Nevertheless, it has the disadvantage of using heavy metals in contrast agents. Yet without heavy metals MRI would not be able to detect cancer or any other disease efficiently, or would it?

Our project focuses on CEST MRI. Within CEST imaging, proteins enclosing hydrogen atoms can be used to generate images with the same quality as those produced with heavy metals. We use Escherichia coli K-12 to create CEST proteins when the bacteria sense a hypoxic environment, thus working as a production factory and delivery system. Based on the principle of our project, we propose two applications, tumor CEST MR Imaging and tracking of bacteria in bacterial infections studies.

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 ==Abstract==
-The field of medical imaging is constantly changing and improving as engineers and physicians strive to obtain the best images possible. This is true for one field in particular, the field of {{:Team:TU-Eindhoven/Template:Tooltip | text=MRI | tooltip=Magnetic Resonance Imaging }}. MRI is one of the best ways of imaging patients, providing doctors and scientists with high quality 3D images of a patients entire body. As a result, MRI has become an irreplaceable aid in the detection of cancers. It does however have multiple drawbacks, one of which is the use of heavy metals in {{:Team:TU-Eindhoven/Template:Tooltip | text=contrast agents | tooltip=Substance that can be distinguished from its surroundings on a MRI scan }}.  Yet without the use of heavy metals MRI cannot detect cancers and other diseases efficiently, or could it?
+Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides the clinical and research field with high quality images of a patient’s body. Therefore, MRI has become an irreplaceable tool for detecting cancers. Nevertheless, it has the disadvantage of using heavy metals in {{:Team:TU-Eindhoven/Template:Tooltip | text=contrast agents | tooltip=Substance that can be distinguished from its surroundings on a MRI scan }}. Yet without heavy metals MRI would not be able to detect cancer or any other disease efficiently, or would it?
-Within our project we aim to focus on a relatively new form of MRI, {{:Team:TU-Eindhoven/Template:Tooltip | text=CEST | tooltip=Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer }} imaging. Within CEST imaging proteins containing hydrogen atoms can be used to create the same quality of images as when heavy metals are used. We will use Escherichia coli K-12 to produce these proteins once they enter the body, allowing the bacteria to be our delivery system and production factory.Tumors present a hypoxic environment, allowing them to be targeted by our bacteria. These hypoxic conditions will furthermore be the trigger for the production of our CEST proteins. This will ensure contrast is created where tumors are present, and also provides a good means of tumor targeting for drug delivery in the future.
-In this manner we will create an alternative for the use of heavy metals that is safe to use, without losing any of the image quality.
+Our project focuses on {{:Team:TU-Eindhoven/Template:Tooltip | text=CEST | tooltip=Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer }} MRI. Within CEST imaging, proteins enclosing hydrogen atoms can be used to generate images with the same quality as those produced with heavy metals. We use Escherichia coli K-12 to create CEST proteins when the bacteria sense a hypoxic environment, thus working as a production factory and delivery system. Based on the principle of our project, we propose two applications, tumor CEST MR Imaging and tracking of bacteria in bacterial infections studies.
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 {{:Team:TU-Eindhoven/Template:SetTitle | menu=project | page=Project Summary}}