Biotechnological and Chemical Sciences in Diagnostics

IN VIVO DIAGNOSTICS: IMAGING PROBES

IN VIVO DIAGNOSTICS: IMAGING PROBES

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

This course contributes to the educational objectives of the preparatory area of the master degree course in Biotechnologies and chemistry in diagnostics and it is aimed at providing students with solid knowledge in the design and development of imaging probes for in vivo diagnostic, a core of the master degree. In particular, the course aims to provide students with:

- an introduction to interdisciplinary (chemical, biological, radiological) language and to the scientific methodologies related the design of imaging probes.

-an overview of the imaging probes available for the different imaging techniques (MRI, x-ray TC, OI, US, PAI), that are used in pre-clinical studies and in the clinical practice for the diagnosis of different pathologies. The general features and chemical properties of probes used for in vitro and in vivo diagnostic procedures will be elucidated as well as the specific characteristics related to the different imaging modalities.

- an in-depth knowledge into the methods for preparation and characterization of imaging probes, including knowledge of chemistry and biology.

- an in-depth knowledge into the relationships between imaging probes (used at preclinical and clinical level) and biological systems (macromolecules, cells, living organisms).

Results of learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Acquisition of strong theoretical and applicative skills concerning the fundamental principles of design, development, characterization of probes for the main imaging techniques will be learned (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, x-ray computed tomography, optical imaging, ultrasound imaging and photoacoustic imaging).

Acquisition of strong skills about the investigation of the interaction of chemicals used as imaging probes and biological systems (macromolecules, cells, living organisms).

Acquisition of solid knowledge among the different classes of contrast agents with the aim of maximizing the attainable contrast and reducing side effects for the patient.

Understating the basic principles of Molecular Imaging and Theranostic with focus on biomedical applications.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Acquisition of the ability to analyze scientific papers and data about in vivo imaging, theranostic, molecular imaging and imaging probes.

Capability to apply the theoretical knowledge of chemistry, biology, radiology and pharmaceutical sciences to the design, in vitro characterization and imaging validation of innovative imaging probes

MAKING JUDGEMENTS

Acquisition of aware judgment autonomy concerning evaluation and interpretation of experimental data in order to achieve strategic choices in unknown situations.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Acquisition of oral and written communication skills and expertise, in English, as well as the ability to use technical and formal languages.

LEARNING SKILLS.

Acquisition of autonomous learning capacity and self-assessment of preparation

SOFT SKILLS.

This course will contribute to the acquisition of several soft skills as organization, collaboration, creativity, communication, time management, public speaking.

Program

• Introduction to in vivo diagnostic probes

  • History of diagnostics from histology to in vivo molecular imaging.

  • General features and chemical properties of in vivo probes.

  • Chemical structures of probes (small organic molecules, inorganic molecules, metal complexes, peptides and proteins, supramolecular adducts, nano-/micro-systems, etc…). 

• Introduction to Molecular Imaging

• Introduction to Theranostic probes

• The following classes of imaging Probes will be analyzed:

  • MRI Probes: Relaxation agents (T_1w and T_2w agents), Chemical Exchange and Saturation Transfer (CEST) and Magnetization Transfer Contrast (MTC) agents, Hyperpolarized agents, Heteronuclear Contrast Agents (19F, etc...), Other MRI probes (DWI, etc )

• Probes for Optical imaging

Basis of optical signal generation and detection

Endogenous optical signals (autofluorescence, absorption of Hemoglobin and biological phorphyrins, etc…)

Quencing and photobleacing

Inorganic probes (QDs, metallo-phorphyrins, metal chalcogenides, etc…)

Organic dyes (cyanines, etc…)

Fluorecent proteins (GFP, RFP, TR, etc…)

Other probes for optical imaging

Applications of optical probes in biomedicine (in vivo imaging, detection of nucleic acids in vitro, applications in cells systems, Point of Care Technology, etc…)

• Probes for Ultrasound imaging

Basis of US contrast generation and detection

Microbubbles

Nanobubbles and echogenic liposomes

Other probes for US

Application of US probes in biomedicine

Biological effects of US

• Probes for Photoacoustic imaging

Basis of PAI contrast generation and detection

Endogenous PAI contrast agents (Hemoglobin, melanin, lipid, etc…)

Exogenous PAI probes: Organic probes (cyanines, etc…), Inorganic probes, other exogenous probes.

Application of PAI probes in biomedicine.

• Probes for x-ray computed thomography (CT)

Basis of CT contrast generation and detection

Probes based on metals (I, Ba, Sr, etc... ).

• Generalities about probes for other imaging techniques:

MPI (magnetic particle imaging)

IR (infra-red imaging) and SERS (Surface-enhanced Raman scattering imaging)

MS (mass spectrometry imaging)

cyTOF imaging

• Supramolecular adducts and nano-micro-systems for imaging (liposomes, PLGA, nanogels, MSNs, etc…).

• Active and passive targeting.

• Enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect.

• Multimodal and smart probes; responsive probes.

Course delivery

All the 9 CFU of the course will be delivered in presence. The teaching activities will mainly consist in frontal lessons. Integrative practical activities (8h, Prof. Francesca Reineri and Dott. Enza Di Gregorio) 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 the preparation and characterization of some of the imaging probes studied during the lessons. 

During the course, students will bè guided by the teacher in reading scientific papers about design and application of imaging probes group. Papers will Be analysed and discussed in class in a teamwork activity. 

Learning assessment methods

The final exam will be a written text focused mainly on the theoretical aspects of the course,  it will bè aimed in evaluating the understanding of both the fundamental properties of imaging probes and their applications. The student's ability to apply these principles to real contexts will be strongly assessed. In the written text, both open and multiple choice questions will be present, togheter with exercises about NMR/MRI.

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

• Molecular Imaging.Principles and Practice. 2nd Edition - August 2, 2021 Editors: Brian Ross, Sanjiv Gambhir

• Molecular Imaging Probes for Cancer Research September 2012 Edited By Xiaoyuan Chen (National Institutes of Health, USA)

• Contrast Agents for MRI: Experimental Methods (ISSN) (English Edition)- Edited by Valérie C Pierre  and Matthew J Allen. RSC.

• Ultrasound Contrast Agents: Targeting and Processing Methods For Theranostics. Paradossi, Pellegretti, Turco. Ed. Springers

• Liposomes in Analytical Methodologies edited by Katie A. Edwards. CRC Press

• Taylor & Francis Group

• Jonathan W. Steed, David R. Turner, Karl J. Wallace, ¸Core Concepts in Supramolecular Chemistry and Nanochemistry; Wiley, 2007.

• JW Steed, JL Atwood Supramolecular Chemistry, Wiley, 2009.

• RR Crichton Biological Inorganic Chemistry, Elsevier, 2013.

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