Xenon-cryptophane probes for MRI

The xenon-cryptophane complexes using hyperpolarized xenon have shown their high potential as contrast agents for MRI. Our group will pursue the design of xenon-cryptophane complexes for the detection of low concentrations of analytes or the association with proteins for in-vivo and in-vitro experiments. We aim at developing in-vivo experiments with small animals, which remain a difficult challenge. The production of fair quantities of molecules appears as one of the main challenges in this project. Works are already underway to provide cryptophane-biosensors in larger amounts. The development of xenon-biosensors is a collaborative work with two teams at the CEA Saclay for the MRI experiments and the production of hyperpolarized 129Xe gas. For instance, the detection of the internalization process of the transferrin protein in living-cells is an interesting example that will be further developed over the forthcoming period. New water-soluble biosensors will be synthesized to bind the transferrin protein without interacting with cell membranes. We will also focus our efforts on the synthesis of new water-soluble cryptophane biosensors attached to a RGD peptide for the detection of integrin protein in living cells.