Abstract by Prof. Dr. Dirk Burdinski, Faculty for Applied Natural Sciences, TH Köln, Leverkusen campus

Nanoparticulate CEST contrast media for magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) is a medical diagnostic imaging method that is closely related to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which is widely used in chemical analysis. MRI is one of the most powerful methods in the field of non-invasive anatomical and increasingly also molecular imaging. Using specific paramagnetic contrast media, the contrast of the images obtained can be significantly improved by accelerating the magnetic relaxation of excited hydrogen nuclei. Novel Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) contrast media improve contrast in a special way: They carry kinetically labile, rapidly exchangeable protons, by means of which a specifically generated magnetic saturation can be transferred to surrounding water molecules. This saturation transfer is particularly effective when a large number of exchangeable hydrogen nuclei are available. This is the case, for example, in liposomes. Such liposomal CEST contrast media (LipoCEST-KM) therefore enable particularly high-evidence imaging, which in principle also allows their use as molecular probes. After loading with suitable drug molecules, their renewed release from their LipoCEST transport containers could also be followed image-guided at the intended site of action.

Curriculum Vitae of Prof. Dr. Dirk Burdinski

Professional Activities

 

• since 2012 Dean of Studies, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, TH Köln (Leverkusen Campus), Germany
• since 2010 Professor (W2) of Materials Science, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, TH Köln (Campus Leverkusen), Germany
• 2004 - 2010 Senior Scientist, Research Group "Molecular and Biomolecular Engineering", Philips Research (High Tech Campus), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
• 2002 - 2004 Senior Scientist, Research Group "Polymers and Organic Chemistry", Philips Research (High Tech Campus), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
• 2001 - 2002 Research Scientist, Research Group "Polymers and Organic Chemistry", Philips Research (High Tech Campus), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
• 1999 - 2001 PostDoc, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Prof. Dr. SJ Lippard), Cambridge, MA, USA
• 1998 - 1999 PostDoc, Max Planck Institute of Bioinorganic Chemistry (Prof. Dr. K. Wieghardt), Mülheim ad Ruhr, Germany

Education

 

• 2003 Diploma in Polymer Technology (for Professionals), Technical University of Eindhoven, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
• 1998 Dr. rer. nat. (in chemistry), Max Planck Institute of Bioinorganic Chemistry / Ruhr University of Bochum (Prof. Dr. K. Wieghardt)
• 1995 Diploma in chemistry, Ruhr-University of Bochum (Prof. Dr. K. Wieghardt)

Honors / Awards

 

• Emmy-Noether Fellowship of the DFG (German Research Foundation) (1999 - 2001)
• Nominated for a Feodor-Lynen Fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (1999)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science (1998-1999)
• Doctoral Fellowship of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science (1995-1998)
• Award of the Faculty of Chemistry at the Ruhr-University of Bochum for an outstanding diploma examination (1995)