Hyperpolarized MR Imaging

Hyperpolarized molecules for HP-MRI are developed in Torino and Pisa by using the Para-Hydrogen Induced Polarization (PHIP) and Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) methods respectively.

Enhanced NMR signals attainable with ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ²⁹Si and ³¹P nuclei have the potential to study cellular metabolism, NMR of complex bio-mixtures, metabolic kinetic studies.

Instrumentation for PHIP, including a para-hydrogen generator (Bruker BioSpin), a PC-controlled Field Cycling system and a low field MR spectrometer for field cycling (Stelar), is available at the University of Torino, while Pisa (University of Pisa and FTGM) hosts a DNP Hypersense Polarizer (Oxford Instr.).

Hyperpolarized agents can be prepared and tested on-site in vitro and/or in animal models.