NMR Signal Enhancement

NMR Signal Enhancement

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a phenomenon that has widely influenced our world. Applications connect different fields of science ranging from fundamental physics and materials science to the determination of chemical structures and biomedicine. We are interested in enhancing inherently weak NMR signals allowing for more sensitive detection methods and improved investigation of diseases. Our focus is nuclear hyperpolarization. Methods are available to boost NMR signal intensities by over four orders of magnitude opening up new possibilities for medical diagnostics. We are also exploring new molecular structures to prolong NMR lifetimes in the form of nuclear singlet states and utilize them as contrast agents. Singlet states are “NMR-silent-states” which offer the opportunity to store hyperpolarization for over one hour, exceeding the 2-3 minute limitations with current hyperpolarized in vivo tracers. Our activities in more detail are as follows:

Hyperpolarization: Metabolic probes and catalysts for biological sciences

Hyperpolarization can be used to enhance the signal strength of metabolites and probe their metabolism in vivo. The detection of an altered metabolism may lead to the identification of disease-related processes, which can serve as diagnostics or to broaden our scientific understanding. We are developing precursors of metabolites that can be hyperpolarized, in particular with para-hydrogen, and transformed into a metabolic tracer. Para-hydrogen is a nuclear isomer of molecular hydrogen in a singlet state. In the presence of a catalyst and target molecule, this singlet state can be converted into observable hyperpolarization which allows for the development of new imaging contrast agents. In the past, we have managed to hyperpolarize amino acid derivatives and subsequently simple amino acids such as glycine and alanine. In addition, we are focusing on the development and investigation of hydrogenation catalysts that can efficiently convert the singlet order of para-hydrogen into hyperpolarization. The main goal is to develop heterogeneous catalysts that can be easily removed after hydrogenation/hyperpolarization of a metabolite to mitigate toxicity concerns. Our recent investigations have lead to the discovery of ligand-capped nanoparticles that show improved hyperpolarization using water as a biocompatible solvent. We have discovered that the ligands surrounding a nanoparticle can have a strong effect on the conversion of singlet order into hyperpolarization. Understanding this process, improving nanocatalyst performance and the combination of hyperpolarization techniques with metabolic contrast agents will lead to an inexpensive way to generate metabolic contrast agents in the future.

Singlet-States: From a quantum state to molecular agents

Nuclear singlet states can be populated in a variety of molecules and are not only limited to para-hydrogen. Research on singlet states has received considerable attention since it is a promising approach to prolong hyperpolarized tracer lifetimes. In order to improve the lifetime of these tracers, we synthesize and explore molecules with highly symmetric properties necessary to maintain a long-lived singlet-state and allow for hyperpolarization with para-hydrogen. Additionally, we are exploring molecules with singlet-states for use in biological applications such as in vitro tracers in cells or proteins and for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Press Releases

Funding for a new method in cancer diagnostics

An efficient contrast agent method for MRI developed by Stefan Glöggler raises hopes of being able to distinguish tumors from healthy tissue on the basis of their metabolic activity. The ForTra gGmbH für Forschungstransfer of the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation (ForTra) and the European Research Council (ERC) are now providing funding to further develop the method for clinical patient studies. more

Possible biomarker for Parkinson’s discovered using new MRI method

Max Planck researcher Stefan Glöggler has developed a new method that promises an earlier detection of Parkinson’s. With the help of this technique, the scientist and his Göttingen colleagues discovered that certain metabolic products indicate the disease at an early stage. more

Life sciences get a quantum boost

Stefan Glöggler received the Felix Bloch Lecture by the German Chemical Society for his research on methods in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). He improved the signal duration and strength of metabolic molecules and built a portable mini-MRI device. more

<p>Signals from a miniature MRI unit</p>

Göttingen researchers led by Stefan Glöggler measure a biochemical reaction in real time with a low-field magnetic resonance device for the first time. This constitutes an important step towards constructing small, flexible MRI devices. more

ERC Starting Grants for Juliane Liepe and Stefan Glöggler

The European Research Council has been awarded about 1.5 million euros funding to Stefan Glöggler and Juliane Liepe at the MPI for Biophysical Chemistry. This year, 3272 junior researcher applied for the ERC Starting Grants, 436 of them succeeded in the competition for the best research projects.
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