Activities

Conventional diagnostic MRI techniques have focused on the improvement of the spatial resolution by using high magnetic fields (1-7 T). High field allows the visualization of small tumour mass but lacks to give a precise evaluation of tumour grading and metastatic potential. On the contrary, working at low and variable magnetic fields with Fast Field Cycling –NMR is it possible to extract from the pathological tissue information, completely invisible to conventional MRI related to its metabolic status and malignancy.

Nanosized agents for the delivery of both therapeutic and MRI agents.

The therapeutic and at the same time diagnostic approach appears to have a great potential in providing highly specialized, more potent and safer tools to treat cancer and other pathologies. In this contest, the development of boron containing agents for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) functionalized with MRI contrast agents for boron quantification. BNCT is an example of not conventional targeted therapy with good efficacy and low toxicity that provides a tumor selective cell death. The nanosized delivery systems used in her research are liposomes, polylactic and glycolic (PLGA) nanoparticles and natural proteins such us ferritin and Low density Lipoproteins (LDL) that can be loaded with both therapeutic and imaging agents.

Group

• Prof. Simonetta Geninatti Crich (PI)
• Dr. Juan CarloS Cutrin (Ricercatore Univesitario)
• Simona Baroni, Post Doc
• Diego Alberti, research technician
• Rachele Stefania research technician
• Maria Rosaria Ruggiero, Post Doc
• Enza Di Gregorio, Post Doc
• Valeria Bitonto, PhD student
• Jacopo Sforzi, PhD student