Faster diagnoses thanks to new scanning technology
Posted on 13 November 2008
They have discovered a way of making Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners, extensively used in hospitals, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) machines employed in chemistry research far more sensitive than was previously possible.
The technique could ultimately replace current clinical imaging technologies that depend on the use of radioactive substances or heavy metals
Professor Simon Duckett
The University of York has today signed an agreement with international technology company Bruker BioSpin to develop this patented technology further.
Research conducted at the York NMR Centre and the York Neuroimaging Centre has developed a new technique which allows molecules to be much more easily detected in a scanner without changing their chemical structure. This is achieved by manipulating a fundamental property of atoms termed ‘spin’.
The key advantage over previous technologies is that this can be achieved without the use of a chemical reaction or having to cool the molecules down to very low temperatures. This will allow much easier and cheaper implementation in hospitals or in the laboratory.
Professor Simon Duckett, from the University’s Department of Chemistry, said: "We have shown that the gain in sensitivity is so great that data can be acquired in seconds rather than months.
"This has very positive implications for faster diagnosis for patients in the future.
"The technique could ultimately replace current clinical imaging technologies that depend on the use of radioactive substances or heavy metals."
The University of York’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian Cantor, and the Managing Director of Bruker BioSpin, Dr Bernd Gewiese, today (13 November) signed an agreement to collaborate in the development of methods and devices around the patented technology for commercial application in the field of high resolution NMR spectroscopy.
Dr Tonio Gianotti, Director and International NMR Research and Development Co-ordinator for Bruker BioSpin, said: "It has always been our priority to support investigations of new methods and technologies in NMR and MRI.
"The outcome of this combined effort with the University of York will enable a breakthrough in localised diagnostics by opening exciting new possibilities in the direction of analytical imaging.
"This method would also enhance the potentiality for understanding fundamental functionalities in biological systems through analytical NMR."
Dr Mark Mortimer, Business Development Manager in the University’s Enterprise and Innovation Office, added: "This rapid development from the chemistry bench through to a commercial partnership has been an exciting project with a great story of collaboration.
"The University of York is pleased to see the partnership between us and Bruker BioSpin starting to bear fruit. There is obviously a need for this technology and getting a product to market will have great benefits."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- NMR is the most popular method for obtaining analytical and structural information in chemistry and MRI is the technique of choice for carrying out clinical imaging in humans.
- More information about the University of York’s Department of Chemistry and the York NMR Centre is available at www.york.ac.uk/depts/chem.
- Further details about the York Neuroimaging Centre are available at www.ynic.york.ac.uk.
- More information about Bruker BioSpin can be obtained from www.bruker-biospin.com.
- The Department of Chemistry has an excellent reputation for teaching and research. In the last Research Assessment Exercise the department was awarded a 5 rating and was rated by the National Student Survey as the leading chemistry department in the UK for student satisfaction in 2007. It is led by prize-winners in all areas of chemistry.
- The Enterprise and Innovation Office at the University of York works closely with companies and the public sector and is building long term strategic relationships for mutual benefit. It creates new opportunities for research partnerships, spinning out new companies from University research, licensing intellectual property, identifying new opportunities for Continuing Professional Development programmes and building a growing enterprise culture with students.
- The Department of Psychology has one of the strongest and most consistent track records in research in the UK, scoring at the highest level in every RAE to date. The major educational guides (Times, Independent and Guardian) place the Psychology course at York third, fourth and sixth in their surveys of all Psychology departments in the UK.