Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

In this program, Dr. Mitchell Albert and colleagues are developing a biomedical tool called hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe biosensor MRI that will be able to achieve in vivo MR imaging information on molecular function, something that has never before been done. Dr. Albert and colleagues are going to develop advanced biosensors for HP 129Xe biosensor MRI by synthesizing molecules that attach to xenon atoms, and connect those ""xenon-cage"" molecules to affinity proteins that bind to cellular receptors. This research is innovative in taking an existing technology that is well established for the study of the lungs and brain, HP gas MRI, and applying it in an entirely new direction-to develop an advanced molecular imaging technology. To achieve this development of this new bioengineering tool, Dr. Albert will integrate several highly innovative and powerful research tools, including molecular biomarker probes, and specialized affinity peptides that can bind to protein receptors.