Nanostructured biomaterials for contrast enhancement in imaging

越来越多的医疗程序（诊断、治疗、治疗）使用生物医学成像（磁共振成像- MRI； x射线计算机断层扫描- CT；核成像- PET/SPECT；超声- US）进行。成像方式和相关技术的指数级发展越来越复杂，对可植入的生物材料和生物医学设备产生了迫切的需求，这些材料和设备在生成的图像中是可见的。除了临床生物医学成像的发展，纳米技术已经产生了大量的功能材料，现在集成在现代医疗实践中。生物材料成像实验室（BIM）的主要目标是开发先进的功能性生物材料、表面涂层和基于可注射纳米材料的技术，这些技术可以在成像过程中提供更高的对比度、更强的信号和互补功能（例如放疗、药物输送、活性氧洗脱）。首先，该研究项目将利用BIM开发的造影剂方面的重要专业知识，基于功能性纳米材料和生物相容性聚合物的整合，生成治疗性水凝胶（MRI可视化和治疗功能）。具有强胶体稳定性和窄直径的超小金属基纳米颗粒将被用于标记生物囊泡（外泌体），这与癌症转移的发生越来越相关。因此，一种基于不同密度纳米粒子集成的新型纯化方法将被开发出来。标记的囊泡将在MRI和核成像下可见，从而使其能够在体内跟踪。纳米材料在水凝胶或生物环境中的演变和可能的降解将使用先进的电子显微镜进行广泛的研究。BIM还开发了等离子体电化学反应器，用于合成放射性纳米颗粒和生成含有高浓度活性氧的流体（ROS：肿瘤治疗的潜力）。最后，该计划将探索几种策略来控制等离子体产生的纳米颗粒的大小，产生的活性氧的浓度，以及它们整合到纳米结构材料中用于医疗应用。总的来说，这项研究计划将进一步加深我们对生物医学成像下生物材料对比度增强的机制的理解和控制。因此，将开发创新的纳米技术，以应对肿瘤学和医学物理学领域的具体技术挑战，以及使用生物材料和生物医学装置（例如植入物、针头、可注射装置和产品）的其他医疗程序。

An increasing number of medical procedures (diagnostic, therapeutic, theranostic) are performed using biomedical imaging (magnetic resonance imaging - MRI; X-ray computed tomography - CT; nuclear imaging - PET/SPECT; ultrasound - US). The exponential development of imaging modalities and related technologies of increasing complexity has generated an urgent need for implantable biomaterials and biomedical devices that are visible in the generated images. In addition to the development of clinical biomedical imaging, nanotechnology has produced a vast array of functional materials now integrated within modern medical practices. The prime objective of the Biomaterials for Imaging Laboratory (BIM) is the development of advanced functional biomaterials, surface coatings, and injectable nanomaterial-based technologies that provide higher contrast, stronger signals, and complementary functions (e.g. radiotherapy, drug delivery, elution of reactive oxygen species) under imaging procedures. First, this research program will use the significant expertise in contrast agents developed by the BIM to generate theranostic hydrogels (MRI visualization and therapeutic function) based on the integration of functional nanomaterials and biocompatible polymers. Ultra-small metal-based nanoparticles of strong colloidal stability and narrow diameters will then be used to label biological vesicles (exosomes), which are increasingly associated with the occurrence of cancer metastases. A new purification procedure based on the integration of nanoparticles of various densities will thus be developed. The labeled vesicles will be visible under MRI and nuclear imaging, thereby enabling their tracking in vivo. The evolution and possible degradation of nanomaterials integrated within hydrogels or biological environments will be extensively investigated using advanced electron microscopy. The BIM has also developed plasma electrochemistry reactors for the synthesis of radioactive nanoparticles and the generation of fluids containing strong concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS: potential for oncology treatments). Finally, this program will explore several strategies to control the size of plasma-generated nanoparticles, the concentration of generated ROS, and their integration into nanostructured materials for medical applications. Overall, this research program will further our understanding and control of the mechanisms involved in contrast enhancement in biomaterials visualized under biomedical imaging. Innovative nanotechnologies will thus be developed to respond to specific technological challenges in the fields of oncology and medical physics, and other medical procedures using biomaterials and biomedical devices (e.g. implants, needles, injectable devices, and products).