Towards Transportable Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance

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Guest Editor

Andrea Capozzi

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), SB IPHYS LIFMET

Dr. Capozzi's research deals with hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) via Dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (dDNP). Dr. Capozzi was initially driven by interdisciplinary scientific interests, having achieved his master’s degree following studies on Condensed Matter Physics and Biophysics (Pavia, Italy). Afterwards, Dr. Capozzi moved to École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) to start a PhD thesis in dDNP under the supervision of Professor Arnaud Comment. Among other projects, he focused on the development and implementation of non-persistent UV-induced radicals for dDNP. Afterwards, he moved to Danish Technical University (DTU) in dDNP inventor, Professor Ardenkjaer-Larsen's group, to improve his knowledge, and push the UV-radicals technique to the next level. Dr. Capozzi's main contribution has been to generate long-lasting and transportable hyperpolarized cancer tracers for MRI, upon in situ scavenging non-persistent radicals. This has the potential to revolutionize how diagnostic radiology is practiced. Since then, Dr Capozzi has worked on making hyperpolarization widely available and transportable for everyone. Moreover, he has investigated the physics of the DNP process at different magnetic field values and developed several innovative hardware components and experimental methodologies related to dDNP

Collection Overview

Early diagnosis is the best strategy we currently have for fighting one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in modern society: cancer. To this point, Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance Imaging (HP MRI) via dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (dDNP) holds great significance, providing insight into human metabolism through real-time examinations. Nevertheless, this technique is still limited to few research centers and it struggles to find worldwide acceptance.

HP MRI relies on the injection of cancer tracers (or bio-probes) gifted with a signal up to 100,000 higher than normal. This enhanced signal is short-lived, obliging us to prepare bio-probes close to the MRI scanner with expensive and technically demanding hardware; making it unlikely to be equipped in every hospital. The aim of this collection is to investigate the fundamental and technological challenges that must be solved to make HP MRI transportable. It would be revolutionary to be able to use MRI HP tracers on demand.