Professor Gil Gregor Westmeyer | Towards molecular reporters for MR neuroimaging in preclinical models

Among the powerful neuroimaging methods available for preclinical models, MRI is an attractive modality because of its superior tissue penetration with compatible spatial resolution at acceptable sampling rates.

In this talk, I will outline our recent efforts on generating synthetic and genetically controlled reporters for MRI that may help in revealing the structural and functional organization of vertebrate brains. I will mention strategies using hyperpolarization techniques as well as approaches based on genetic modifications of mammalian iron homeostasis. I will also give an outlook on how some of the genetically controlled methods that we develop could be made useful in the future to manipulate cellular processes with magnetic fields remotely.

Poster