UQ researchers race to develop MRI contrast agent

Scientists around the world are racing to create the first 'smart' contrast agent to enhance the use of MRI in measuring biological processes in the body, and three early-career researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) are in the running.

The contrast agent -- based on a biomarker for cell death in the human body -- was jointly conceived by Dr Elizabeth Coulson, Queensland Brain Institute, Dr Madelaine Schultz, School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, and Dr Nyoman Kurniawan, Centre for Magentic Resonance and Queensland Brain Institute.

The contrast agent is still in the research and development phase but has the potential to be used in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualise and measure cancer treatment, the effects of stroke or the progression of neurological diseases such as dementia.

"Magnetic resonance imaging is about inherent differences in tissues, whether they've got more water content or less," said Coulson.

MRI aligns charged or magnetic particles in the body, one of which is water, to face a particular way. "Cells that are aligned one way look whiter, and the cells aligned the other way look dark," said Coulson. The concept for this new contrast agent is that by attaching a charged metal (such as gadolinium) to a biomarker for cell death (such as apoptosis), cells that are dying will be obvious on the MRI, looking very black.

When used in cancer patients, the contrast agent would allow measurements of how effective chemotherapy was in killing a tumour or potentially as a diagnostic to help specify cancer treatments.

In stroke, the contrast agent could be used as a prognosis tool. "We know that functionality continues to decline months later but we don't know if that's accompanied by cell drop out," said Coulson.

The researchers won UniQuest's annual innovation competition, Trailblazer, receiving $7500 for their concept.

"When we've done the sums for the chemistry, we can do some real science with [the money]," said Coulson.

At present the trio are making their first prototype molecule with plans to test it in cell culture in the next few months, and mid next year in mice.

"If it actually works...we think it's only a year or two down the track before we can test it in humans," she said.

When asked what each researcher is bringing to the project, Coulson said its was "know-how in our specific field".

Coulson is a specialist in cell death, Schultz knows a lot about metal chemistry and Kurniawan has extensive experience with MR machines.

"So by bringing in this multi-disciplinary team where we're all experts in our particular area, I think we have a really good shot of making something that's going to work," she said.