Molecular Imaging
Skill level: Basic
Markus Rudin, Ph.D., Klaas Nicolay, Ph.D., Organizers
Sunday, 20 May
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Overview
The first part of this one-day course will focus on
technological aspects of molecular imaging. The physical
principles and technical issues associated with each of the
major imaging modalities in the field will be explained. The
comparison of the strengths and weaknesses should reveal the
complementarities of the various techniques and illustrate the
importance of fusion approaches. Probe design will be discussed
in two contributions: the first part deals with the physical
principles of the reporter systems, while the second
contribution describes issues encountered in probe design:
sensitivity, specificity, bioavailability, safety,
pharmacological profiles, translatability to the clinics.
Various molecular imaging applications (studies of gene
expression, cell migration as well as critical disease processes
like apoptosis, angiogenesis and neurodegeneration) will be
discussed in the third part.
Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
• Explain basic concepts and the potential of molecular imaging as
a basic research tool, for diagnostics of disease processes
and
for monitoring therapeutic interventions, and explain the role
of molecular versus structural and physiological readouts;
• Recognize the relevance of multi-modality imaging strategies (MRI
might not be the optimal method to tackle a specific problem),
and be able to select the optimal imaging strategy for a
specific problem;
• Explain ‘contrast’ principles of the various reporter moieties
(paramagnetic & superparamagnetic MRI contrast agents,
fluorescent dyes
and proteins, positron emitters, gamma ray
emitters); recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each
reporter; and
• Evaluate molecular probe concepts (e.g. direct versus indirect
reporter systems, basic research concept versus clinically
applicable probes, etc.).
Audience Description
This course is designed for:
•
Physicists, (bio)chemists,
(molecular) biologists, pharmacologists and physicians with
interest in imaging technologies, fusion of MRI with
other
modalities, design of molecular imaging probes, application for
(early) diagnostics, staging, evaluation of therapy, and
treatment
responses (proof of therapeutic principle)
•
This is a
basic education course, and no special experience is required,
although some experience in/exposure to imaging technologies,
as
well as basic knowledge of chemistry and biology is helpful.
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08:00 |
Introduction |
Markus Rudin, Ph.D. |
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Instrumentation |
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08:35 |
Imaging technologies: Physical principles, technical issues |
Tobias R. Schäffter, Ph.D. |
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09:10 |
Combined technologies: MRI/PET, PET/CT, MRI/Optical – |
Bernd Pichler, Ph.D. |
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instrumental aspects |
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9:45 |
Break - Meet the Teachers |
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Probe Design |
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10:05 |
Concepts of probe design I: Physical principles of reporter moieties |
Robert N. Muller, Ph.D. |
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10:40 |
Concepts of probe design II. Design of target-specific probes |
Dmitri Artemov, Ph.D. |
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11:15 |
Concepts of probe design III. Pharmacokinetic issues |
Ludger M. Dinkelborg, Ph.D. |
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11:50 |
Combined technologies: multimodal probes |
Willem M. Mulder, M.Sc., PhD. |
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12:20 |
Break |
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12:20 - 12:35 - Meet the Teachers |
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Biomedical applications: General |
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13:30 |
Non-invasive imaging of signaling pathways |
Tarik F. Massoud, M.D. |
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14:05 |
MR reporter genes - not available |
Eric T. Ahrens, Ph.D. |
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14:40 |
Monitoring cell migration |
Clemens Löwik, Ph.D. |
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15:25 |
Break -
Meet the Teachers |
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Biomedical applications: Specific |
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15:45 |
Apoptosis |
Chris Reutelingsperger, Ph.D. |
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16:20 |
Alzheimer’s disease |
Michael Garwood, Ph.D.. |
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16:55 |
Angiogenesis |
Michal Neeman, Ph.D. |
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17:30 |
Adjournment |
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17:30 - 17:45 - Meet the Teachers |
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