On going Projects

  • PRIMOGAIA project "Prepolarized MRI at Earth Field to seek new contrasts linked to molecular events for very early detection of pathologies" - H2020-EU.1.2.1. - FET Open (01/12/2019 - 31/05/2023)
    Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive technology that generates high-resolution images of tissues and organs. Since its first use on a human being, over 40 years ago, it has become instrumental in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease and injury. Functional MRI, invented in 1991, is based on the same principles but images metabolic activity indirectly via changes in blood flow. Its use has led to remarkable discoveries in biomedical research. Now, PRIMOGAIA is exploiting MRI technology to map and quantify enzyme activity in pathological tissue. Enzymes play critical roles in cellular metabolism and are already valuable biomarkers of pathology in blood tests. Now, their high-resolution spatial localisation in tissues will significantly enhance disease detection and monitoring.
    PrimoGaia brings together an interdisciplinary consortium of research teams from 4 academics: Aix-Marseille University, Université de Mons, Universitá Torino (reagents), CNRS Bordeaux (EPR unit, sequences, biology); Fraunhofer Institute (Physics) and 2 companies: Stelar (magnetic unit) and Pure Devices an innovative SME (MRI instrumentation).

Past Projects

  • Attract QPMRI project "Monitoring tissue implants by field-cycling MRI of quadrupolar-peak contrast agents" - (20/05/2019 - 31/10/2020)
    This project aims at developing innovative biocompatible sensors able to monitor the status of tissue implants in vivo, at human scale. These sensors are aimed at reporting on the degradation of the scaffold and on the overall transplanted cells conditions. They represent a completely new class of MRI contrast agents that display remarkable relaxation effects on tissue water protons. Their detection requires the acquisition of images at variable magnetic field strength as provided by Fast Field Cycling MRI (FFCMRI) scanners.
    Consortium: University of Torino and University of Aberdeen.
  • National project funded by San Paolo Foundation: "Imaging extracellular pH as a MRI diagnostic tool" - CSTO165925 (2017-2019);
  • H2020-MSCA-ITN-2017 project "Zero and ultra-low field nuclear magnetic resonance" - ZULF (2018-2022)
  • National project funded by San Paolo Foundation: "Imaging extracellular pH as a MRI diagnostic tool" - CSTO165925 (2017-2019);
  • National project funded by San Paolo Foundation: "Gd retention in brain after Contrast Enhanced MRI" - CSTO160182 (2017-2019);
  • National project funded by San Paolo Foundation: "MRI guided therapy for combating ovarian cancer" - CSTO165439 (2017-2019);
  • National project funded by San Paolo Foundation: "Hyperpolarized metabolites for MRI of cancer" - CSTO164550 (2017-2019);
  • H2020-PHC-2015 project: "Improving Diagnosis by Fast Field-Cycling MRI" - Identify (2016-2020)
  • H2020-PHC-2015 project: "In Vivo Spectral Photon Counting CT Molecular Imaging in Cardio- and Neuro-Vascular Diseases" - SPCCT (2016-2020)
  • H2020-PHC-2015 project: "GlucoCEST Imaging of Neoplastic Tumours" - GLINT (2016-2020)
  • H2020 INFRADEV-1-2015-2: "Coordinated Research Infrastructures Building Enduring Life-science services" CORBEL (2015-2019)
  • National project F.E.S.R. 2014/2020, "Green Factory for Composites" (2017-2019)
  • H2020-INFRASUPP-2014-2: Global BioImaging Project - International imaging infrastructure services for the life science community, 2016-2018
  • H2020-INFRADEV-1-2015-2: "Euro-BioImaging Preparatory Phase 2", 2015-2017 (EuBI PP2)
  • Research project of the Green Chemistry Cluster: "Development of second generation technologies for the conversion of organic derivatives in green dicarboxylic acids, as building blocks of renewable origin for the synthesis of chemicals and polymers" - LIDIA (2014-2017).
  • FP7-HEALTH-2013 (602306): "Closed-loop Molecular Environment for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours" - MITIGATE (2013-2017)
  • Integrated EU Project "Imaging of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Diseases" - InMIND (2012-2017);
  • National project AIRC IG2013: "Dual MRI-Optical imaging agents in prostatectomy" (2014-2016);
  • National PRIN project "Innovative chemical tools for improved molecular approaches in biomedicine" (2013-2015);
  • National project funded by San Paolo Foundation: "Innovative Nanosized Theranostic Agents: design, preparartion and preclinical in vivo validation" - INTA (2012-2015);
  • CA COST Action CA16103 "Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biomarkers for Chronic Kidney Disease"
  • COST Action TD1004 "Theragnostics Imaging and Therapy" (2011-2015)
  • FP7-INFRASTRUCTURES-2010-1: Euro-BioImaging - Research infrastructure for imaging technologies in biological and biomedical sciences, 2012-2014
  • National project funded by San Paolo Foundation: "Validation of VHH type molecules and aptamers for the tumor-specific release of drugs and the contextual evaluation of the response by focused functional imaging" (2012-2014)
  • National POR-FESR 2007-13 project "Solid Lipidic Nanoparticles for Imaging Atheroschlerotic Plaques" - ATHIMAG (2011-2013);
  • Network of Excellence EMIL(European Molecular Imaging Laboratories) (combating cancer), 2004-2009
  • Network of Excellence DiMI(Diagnosis for Molecular Imaging), 2005-2010
  • STREP "Ortho/Para-Water", 2004-2008 (Coord.)
  • Integrated Project Meditrans("Imaging Drug Delivery"), 2006-2010
  • Integrated Project ENCITE("Cellular Therapy"), 2008-2012
  • COST "Lanthanides in Diagnosis and Therapy", 2001-2006 (Coord.)
  • COST "Metal-based Systems for Molecular Imaging", 2006-2011 (Coord.)
  • EMMI("European Master in Molecular Imaging"), 2008