Inflammation imaging with fluorine-19 MRI – from toothpaste to bedside
Ruud B. van Heeswijk,
Department of Radiology of the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV)
Abstract: We will first review the principles and unique properties of fluorine-19 magnetic resonance imaging (19F MRI). With these under our belt, we will take a look at several preclinical applications of 19F MRI for the mapping of inflammation. Finally, we will consider the current hurdles for clinical applications of 19F MRI and how to overcome them.
About the Speaker: Ruud B. van Heeswijk is a senior lecturer at the Department of Radiology of the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), in Switzerland. The research of his team focuses on tissue characterization with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in collaboration with biologists, physicists, and clinicians.
Dr. van Heeswijk has been involved in a wide range of MR-related research. He started with contrast agent development at the Eindhoven University of Technology and stem cell imaging at Johns Hopkins University, which he followed with a PhD on hyperpolarization and carbon-13 spectroscopy at the CIBM and EPFL, before finding his true love in cardiovascular imaging at the CHUV. Here, he mainly focuses on cardiovascular tissue characterization through techniques such as fluorine-19 MRI and parameter mapping, which led to several awards such as the prestigious Pfizer Research Prize. Through extramural funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation and several foundations he created his own research group, which has a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaborations and daily interactions with medical professionals.
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Seminar Chair
Prof. Matthias Stuber,
Head of CIBM MRI CHUV-UNIL Translational MR Imaging Section
The monthly meet-up seminar series is a great environment to ask questions or to share insights on challenges and solutions. It’s also a good way to broaden and enrich professional networks.