Biotechnological and Chemical Sciences in Diagnostics

IN VIVO DIAGNOSTICS: IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES

IN VIVO DIAGNOSTICS: IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES

Academic year 2024/2025

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Program
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Suggested readings and bibliography
• Teaching tools
• Course card

Course objectives

Imaging in-vivo is a fundamental tool for the diagnosis of diseases and for the assessment of the outcome of therapeutic treatments.

The course contributes to the education in the field of chemistry in the master degree course in Biotechnology and Chemical Sciences in Diagnostics. It aims to provide a basis in the field of in-vivo imaging techniques, including knowledge about how the different methods works and the fundamental chemical-physical principles on which the different techniques are based.

An overview of the imaging methods that are used in the clinical practice for the diagnosis of different pathologies will be given. Attention will be also dedicated to more innovative methods that have not been translated into the clinical routine, but that are currently being investigated in clinical and pre-clinical studies.

Results of learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course, the students will have a good knowledge of the different in-vivo imaging techniques, of their working principles and their respective strengths and weaknesses.

They will be able to identify which kind of information can be obtained from each method (anatomical, functional or metabolic information) and to evaluate which imaging technique can provide meaningful information about a specific disease.

 Making judgement

The students will be able to discuss, in small groups and with the professor, about scientific publications concerning in-vivo imaging methods. Theys will also have the capability to interpret experimental results obtained using different imaging techniques.

Communication skills

The correct specific terminology used for the different imaging methods will be acquired.

The students will grow the appropriate knowledge to present scientific papers and results concerning the in-vivo imaging methods.

These skills will be developed though the active involvement of the students during class discussions.

Learning skills

The students will develop an autonomous learning and self assessment capacity, that will make them ready to start their future career with a high degree of independence.

Program

The following imaging methods will be treated:

Nuclear medicine imaging modalities:

• X-Ray generation, X-Ray –matter interaction, X-Ray imaging applications
• Computed Tomography (principles of tomography: formation of a tomographic image)
• Quick overview of PET-SPECT

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

• The Nuclear MR phenomenon: fundamental principles (nuclear spin, Larmor precession, the NMR signal, relaxation processes)
• The MRI machine: magnetic field, radio-frequency pulses…
• Image formation through the application of magnetic field gradients
• MRI pulse sequences
• Advanced sequences for functional imaging (fast sequences, DWI, DTI…)
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy:
  • localized MRS in vivo
• A bit more about NMR (for diagnostic purposes):
  • Heteronuclear and 2D-NMR
  • Dynamic processes in NMR
  • Characterization of small organic molecules by NMR
  • NMR for metabolomic analysis

Optical Imaging:

• Basis of optical imaging
• Bioluminescence imaging
• Fluorescence imaging

Ultrasound imaging

• Physic of sound waves
• Generation and detection of US waves
• Basis of echography
• Overview of US imaging instrument

Photoacoustic imaging

• Basis of Photoacoustic signal generation
• PAI instruments (Microscopy and tomography)

Course delivery

All the 6 CFU of the courser will be delivered in presence. The teaching activities will mainly consist in frontal lessons, during which some quiz and tests will also be proposed to verify and improve the comprehension of the main topics.

Integrative practical activities will be also carried out, in small groups, using the research imaging facilities at the Molecular Imaging Centre (https://www.cim.unito.it/website/) which will allow students to practice with some of the imaging techniques covered during the lessons. 

Reading of literature scientific papers on imaging technologies will be used to highlight recent advances in the field.

All the didactic materials will be made available online on the Moodle website.

Learning assessment methods

The final exam will be an oral preceeded by a written test. The written part will consist in open questions aimed to the assess the capability to use the theoretical tools for the interpretation of data. The oral will be aimed to verify the ability to explain and discuss about the different imaging techniques using the appropriate language.

For the preparation, students can use slides and notes.

Papers and reviews related to imaging probes will be suggested by the teacher during the course.

Some books are available for further study if deemed appropriate by the students:

• Medical Imaging Systems. An Introductory guide. Authors A. Maier, S. Steidl, V. Christlein, J. Hornegger , Springer 2018 (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-96520-8)
• Molecular Imaging.Principles and Practice. 2nd Edition - August 2, 2021 Editors: Brian Ross, Sanjiv Gambhir
• MRI in practice. Westbrook, C.K.Roth, J. Talbot (2005) 3^rd ed. Blackwell
• Spin Dynamics, M.H.Levitt (2007) Wiley.

• Teaching material
• Exams and finals
• Class schedule
• Go to Moodle
• Register for the course
• Enrolled students
• Invia email agli studenti registrati
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