Development and evaluation of MRI contrast agents, and organic/inorganic chemical synthesis and characterization.
Our lab focuses on the development of molecular probes for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensing, to detect diseases and to monitor important cellular/molecular events in vivo. Our recent contributions include development of Gd-free MRI contrast agents based on Mn-porphyrin, and novel NMR sensors for detecting anions and pH.
MRI contrast agents evaluation; providing novel MRI contrast agents with high sensitivity and low toxicity; strategic NMR probe development; NMR pH measurement; organic synthesis; inorganic synthesis; structural analysis; fluorescent sensor development; customized porphyrin synthesis.
- Chemical industries
- Clean technology
- Energy
- Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
- Manufacturing and processing
Specialized labs and equipment
| Name of specialized lab | Name of equipment in use | Description of function |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular Imaging Lab (ZXa Lab) | Field-cycling NMR relaxometer | Measuring sensitivity of MRI contrast agents in a wide range of magnetic field up to 3 T |
| Infrastructure for Chemical Synthesis | Synthesis, purification and characterization of organic and inorganic molecules | |
| Tissue Culture Facility | Live cells studies | |
| Fluorescent microscope | Optical imaging of cells and materials | |
| Teaching and Research in Analytical Chemical and Environmental Sciences (TRACES Lab) at UTSC | NMR, MS, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, IR, UV-vis, Florescence, Raman, etc. | Core facility for chemical analysis |
Private and public sector research partners
- University of Toronto
- Western University
- University of Rochester
- The Ohio State University
- University at Buffalo
- State University of New York
Additional information
| Title | URL |
|---|---|
| MRI Contrast Agent Makes Stem Cells Visible Inside the Body | http://www.americanlaboratory.com/187206-MRI-Contrast-Agent-Makes-Stem-Cells-Visible-Inside-the-Body/ |
| When it comes to developing stem cell treatments, seeing is half the battle | http://ose.utsc.utoronto.ca/ose/story.php?id=8486 |
| Tiny sensor may have big impact in tackling cancer, cystic fibrosis | https://www.utoronto.ca/news/tiny-sensor-may-have-big-impact-tackling-cancer-cystic-fibrosis |
| Tattoo treatment could boost stem cell research | https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/07/06/tattoo-treatment-could-boost-stem-cell-research.html |