Laboratory of Molecular Imaging Probes. Department of Radiology

Director: Dr. Alexei Bogdanov, PhD

Tel. (508) 856-5571

Email: Alexei.Bogdanov@umassmed.edu

Projects

Enzyme-sensing Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Sensing probes respond to the presence of a given molecule with a specific change of relaxation properties

Imaging in CVA models

This research investigates MR imaging of CVA instability associated inflammation

Adoptive transfer imaging

Imaging of human endothelial cells self-assembly in microvessels

Transcription factor imaging probes

Reporters of gene transcription for detecting protein interaction with DNA probes

Other projects

Imaging marker proteins

Angiogenesis imaging

list of publications

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Goals and statement of research:

Contrast agent (“imaging probe”) research and high-resolution imaging in biological models will undoubtedly revolutionize preclinical (translational) research and will have impact in detecting and staging human disease in clinical practice.

Such specific probe-assisted imaging, or molecular imaging (Society of Molecular Imaging, Academy of Molecular Imaging, Molecular Imaging Central), is minimally invasive by design.

For example, recent developments in molecular imaging provided continuous monitoring of gene expression and transcriptional regulation during experimental gene therapy (either when gene expression is induced or silenced).

There are several imaging modalities that provide high resolution in living systems. However, the ability to detect (or sense) target molecules at low concentrations is frequently limited because of the insufficient sensitivity to probes that differentiate between target and non-target molecules.

The research in our laboratory addresses the issue of increasing selectivity and sensitivity of imaging probes. We also apply this research in realistic models of disease.