Nanostructured biomaterials for contrast enhancement in imaging

越来越多的医疗程序(诊断、治疗、治疗)是使用生物医学成像(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)进行的。成像方式和相关技术日益复杂的指数级发展产生了对可植入的生物材料和生物医学设备的迫切需求，这些材料和生物医学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，现在已经整合到现代医疗实践中。生物材料成像实验室(BIM)的主要目标是开发先进的功能生物材料、表面涂层和基于注射的纳米材料技术，在成像程序下提供更高的对比度、更强的信号和互补的功能(例如放射治疗、药物输送、活性氧物种的洗脱)。首先，这项研究计划将利用BIM开发的造影剂方面的重要专业知识，基于功能纳米材料和生物兼容聚合物的集成来产生治疗用水凝胶(MRI可视化和治疗功能)。然后，胶体稳定性强、直径窄的超小金属纳米颗粒将被用于标记与癌症转移发生日益相关的生物囊泡(外体)。因此，将开发一种基于集成不同密度的纳米颗粒的新的纯化程序。标记的囊泡将在核磁共振和核成像下可见，从而能够在体内追踪它们。将使用先进的电子显微镜广泛研究集成在水凝胶或生物环境中的纳米材料的进化和可能的降解。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产生含有高浓度活性氧物种的液体(ROS：潜在的肿瘤治疗)。最后，该计划将探索几种策略来控制等离子体生成的纳米颗粒的大小、生成的ROS的浓度，以及它们集成到医疗应用的纳米结构材料中。总体而言，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所涉及的机制的理解和控制。因此，将开发创新的纳米技术，以应对肿瘤学和医用物理领域的具体技术挑战，以及使用生物材料和生物医学设备(例如植入物、针头、可注射设备和产品)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).