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DESY News: Innovation Award awarded for breakthrough in X-Ray Fluorescence Tracking for Medical Imaging
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News from the DESY research centre
Innovation Award awarded for breakthrough in X-Ray Fluorescence Tracking for Medical Imaging
Grüner, professor at the University of Hamburg and at the Center for Free-Electron Laser Science (CFEL), a cooperation between DESY, the University of Hamburg and the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, has been honored for advancements in the field of in-situ and in-vivo tracking using advanced X-ray Fluorescence Imaging (XFI). His pioneering work paves the way for the precise tracking of active ingredients, as well as immune cells, antibodies, and drug carriers, enabling real-time assessment of biodistribution in the human body and providing invaluable insights for medical research.
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Versuchsaufbau für XFI-Messungen. Bild: UHH, Florian Grüner
X-ray fluorescence has been widely used at synchrotrons, but to this point could not be used for non-invasive detection of small quantities of elements in thicker samples. Now, Grüner and his team have overcome these limitations and paved the way for studying biodistributions of various entities in-situ and in-vivo. or this purpose, the entities to be traced must be marked with suitable elements, e.g. iodine atoms.
The pilot-study conducted at DESY's Synchrotron PETRA III, in collaboration with the University Clinic in Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), focused on tracking the migration of immune cells in Crohn’s disease mice models. The results showcased the first-ever in-vivo synchrotron-based XFI Crohn’s disease tracking of macrophages, a class of white blood cells, in living mice. Building upon these insights, two additional pilot-studies have been initiated, involving the tracking of mRNA-nanoparticle carriers and pharmacokinetics of an anti-cancer drug compound in tumor mouse models, respectively. Furthermore, Florian Grüner and his team are currently planning a third pillar of research, exploring the possibilities of tracking antibodies and even virus particles.
Helmut Dosch, Chairman of DESY’s board of directors: “This research exemplifies the transformative potential of large-scale research infrastructure, such as synchrotron radiation facilities, in addressing societal challenges and driving breakthroughs in health-related research. The contributions by Florian Grüner and his team have not only made an indelible impact on the scientific community but also offer a glimpse into the future of medication development and therapy advancements.”