Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the most powerful methods in medical diagnostics. To push this method far beyond its current limits our team explores a fundamentally new MRI contrast mechanism. The software which we have been developing  allows to predict, on the basis of molecular structure and dynamics, the potential of particles containing elements of low toxicity (e.g. bismuth, thallium, indium) to become candidates for the novel contrast agents and simulate the expected contrast effect in clinical scanners.

About the Innovator

The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (UWM) includes 17 faculties. One of them is the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science including the Chair of Relativistic Physics to which the research team of Danuta Kruk belongs. Her group focuses on theory of spin resonances and relaxation processes and dynamics of condensed matter and solids and is a partner in the EU-funded CONQUER project where this work was developed. The project parternship inclide the Graz University of Technology (proejct coordinator), UWM, Umeå University, University of Maribor and Medical University of Graz.

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Innovator's Twitter account

What is the innovation

CONQUER aims at developing radically new contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging based on physical mechanism of high efficiency and sensitivity, not yet exploited in medical practise. Employing quantum physics and advanced mathematics we have been developing a comprehensive simulation model for the expected contrast. The software is essential for the rational design of promising bio-compatible molecules and nanoparticles. The software is the most advanced one of its kind and is being continuously developed and thoroughly tested against experiments.

Out of the lab – Into the Market

To bring the software out of the lab it is necessary to comprehensively test its predictions against experimental data to insure credibility and completeness of the underlying models. The software will serve as a guideline and platform for designing novel contrast agents. We plan to make the software open access and offer related services.  To reach industry stockholders the software will be advertised using COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) action EURELAX networking including 27 countries, coordinated by Danuta Kruk.

Benefits of participation in the Framework Programme

The basis of the software was presented in a scientific journal [D. Kruk et al. SSNMR, 40, 114, 2011]. The focus was on the scenario of the quantum physical phenomenon and hence fundamental science. Translating this concept to medical applications has been possible thanks to the interdisciplinary CONQUER project combining expertise in quantum physics, chemical, biomedical and software engineering. Demonstration that the novel contrast mechanism can be exploited for imaging of tissue gives a new dimension to the simulation software.