Our main area of research is chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast. CEST contrast is a relatively new approach that could allow imaging of important parameters that are inaccessible by current conventional MRI, such as pH or a particular metabolite level.
We are predominantly focused on the technical aspects of CEST in humans. We are working on speeding up the acquisition times, improving post-processing, and increasing the sensitivity of the technique. We are also exploring several clinical applications, such as chronic kidney disease and breast and renal cancers.
We also explore meaningful and clinically relevant imaging markers and are looking at other ways to detect exchange processes as well as other mechanisms of MR contrast, such as dipolar interaction.