Magnetic Particle Imaging of the Extracellular Matrix (A02)

• Subject Area: Radiology
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 372486779

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is a quantitative imaging technique for the specific visualization of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The observation of MNP and their interaction with the environment by quantitative MPI enables the investigation of physiological and biomolecular processes. This functional MPI is exploited to analyze the components and state of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In the first funding period of this experimental project, we proved the general feasibility of MPI to image the interaction of MNP with components of the ECM of living cell systems. In the second funding period, we test the hypothesis that MPI is also capable of visualizing and quantifying pathological changes of the ECM. In addition, we investigate the feasibility of MPI to visualize physical properties of the ECM like temperature and viscosity. Combining MPI with structural imaging modalities will provide a valuable information gain.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1340: In vivo Visualization of Extracellular Matrix Pathology „Matrix in Vision“
• Applicant Institution: shared FU Berlin and HU Berlin through:; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Matthias Taupitz; Professor Dr. Lutz Trahms, until 6/2022; Dr. Frank Wiekhorst