The AlternativesToGd project aims to develop metal-free hyperpolarised metabolic contrast agents for MRI to enable molecular imaging and monitor enzymatic conversions with very high sensitivity. A major challenge for researchers is overcoming the short lifetime of hyperpolarized states in these contrast agents.

The agents will consist of small endogenous molecules, in which nuclear spins will be hyperpolarized to ensure high sensitivity to MR detection, even at very low doses. The team will investigate three ground-breaking hyperpolarization techniques to maximise the lifetime and achieve unprecedented sensitivity in contrast-enhanced MRI diagnostics with contrast agents that are safe, non-toxic and completely eliminated from the body after the procedure. The new compounds and technologies developed in this proposal will be tested in animal models of disease and the most promising ones selected for further clinical development.

AlternativesToGd’s consortium consists of nine institutions from six countries. EIBIR leads the project management and dissemination activities of the project.