Hyperpolarized 13C Metabolic Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Imaging

The overall goal of this procedure is to hyperpolarize carbon 13-labelled molecules using dynamic nuclear polarization, and to measure their enyzmatic conversion using carbon 13 magnetic resonance, retroscopic imaging, in vitro. This method increases the resonant signal of carbon by 10, 000 to 100, 000 fold, allowing the layered compounds to be distinguished from their metabolic products, and to be localized in the body by imaging. The main advantage of this method, compared to say, the VR techniques, is that it provides a view of the metabolism of naturally occurring substances in living organisms in real time.

Also this method can provide insight into the metabolism of cancer and as it is in vitro. It can also be applied to animal models and human patients. The application of this technique exceeds tumor localization.