Development of Hyperpolarized NMR Molecular Probes for Biological Applications

Our bodies are composed of molecules. The dynamic activ-ity of molecules is the essence of living phenomena. Toward the analysis of this, the establishment of in vivo molecular imaging techniques has been sought. Hyperpolarized nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a promising technique that enables in vivo molecular imaging using highly sensitive hyper polarized NMR molecular probes and is expected to be a next generation molecular imaging technology. However, a major challenge lies in the rapid relaxation of the hyperpolarized nuclear spin state of the molecule, i.e., a short lifetime of high sensitivity. We have made our efforts to address this critical issue. This award account mainly describes our research to develop hyperpolarized molecular probes with long hyper polarization lifetime. Based on the understanding of the relax-ation mechanism of hyperpolarized spin states, we successfully developed various hyperpolarized C-13 molecular probes, some of which were applied for in vivo studies. In addition, we demonstrated the development of hyperpolarized N-15 molecular probes with remarkably long hyperpolarization lifetimes. These results pave the way for the rational design of hyperpolarized molecular probes, which has been difficult to achieve so far.

Automated summary

This article describes the research on the development of hyperpolarized molecular probes with long hyperpolarization lifetimes. Various hyperpolarized molecular probes have been successfully developed and applied for in vivo studies, based on the understanding of the relaxation mechanism of hyperpolarized spin states. In addition, the development of hyperpolarized molecular probes with remarkably long hyperpolarization lifetimes has been demonstrated.