Genovis nanostructures in new diagnostic method
Genovis, which is currently conducting several medical imaging projects on its own and with partners, has been granted a position for an industry-based doctoral student by the Swedish Research Council. This means that yet another person will focus on animal model studies in which Genovis' nanostructures will serve as contrast media in order to develop a new diagnostic method. The project is a collaborative effort with the Department of Radiophysics at Lund University Hospital.
"The opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary projects together with leading research groups in medical imaging is incredibly worthwhile for us. In the long run, successful animal studies will mean a new market for Genovis products and our knowledge," says Sarah Fredriksson, CEO of Genovis.
In order to develop better drugs and more effective treatment for malignant diseases we need more reliable diagnoses at an early stage, as well as better opportunities to follow up various therapies and medication dosages. A new contrast medium for humans must be able to be used at low doses with high efficacy and without any side effects. Genovis has focused on nanostructures that are used as tools to study different types of cells from animals and humans. Genovis optimizes the nanostructures to ensure that they are not harmful or cause cell death in these extremely sensitive cells. The experience and knowledge that Genovis has built up over the years is valuable for the design and production of new nanostructures that are now being tested in animal models, after which they will be taken one step further toward a reliable diagnostic method for humans.
The project is being carried out in cooperation with the Department of Radiophysics at Lund University Hospital and is based on a brand new generation of nanoparticles with combined magnetic, radioactive and fluorescent properties for MRI/PET imaging. The project will focus on the combination of two different imaging and diagnostic methods with a single effective contrast agent that delivers both anatomical and functional information. The contrast agent is based on ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles marked with a radioactive trace element. Genovis will evaluate and produce this contrast agent.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a biomedical imaging technique for diagnostic imaging with a scanner. The technique is used on patients to detect, locate and classify certain diseases and injuries that are hidden or difficult to see by x-ray or CT scan.
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique based on the decay of radioactive isotopes and provides three-dimensional images of the movements of neurotransmitters in the body.