ISMRM SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOP ~ 29 January - 1 February 2012
 

MRI-Based Cell Tracking
 Miami Beach Resort, Miami Beach, FL, USA
 

OVERVIEW
MRI-based cell tracking is one of the most exciting and broadly impacting disciplines within radiology. Major advances in nanoparticle technology, coupled with advances in MRI technology, have yielded enhanced detection capabilities with sensitivity of individual cells in vivo. Novel probes and molecular biology provide the opportunity to monitor cell function and gene expression in vivo. Clinically important paradigms, such as stem cell transplantation, inflammation, cancer and regenerative medicine have benefited immensely from established protocols for using MRI-based cell tracking. Furthermore, a wealth of information has been garnered in basic sciences; in neuroscience, immunology and development, owing to MRI-based cell tracking.

Recently, MRI-based cell tracking has graduated from use as a research tool to clinical applications. While there have been only a few studies in humans, this progress is encouraging. This workshop is intended to bring together experts in nanoparticle technology, MRI and molecular and cell biology with biologists, biomedical engineers and physicians in an effort to share information across disciplines and accelerate the translation of MRI-based cell tracking to clinical settings.
 

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to:
  • Describe the importance of magnetic cell labeling for MRI-based cell tracking and explain the differences between different particle types;
  • List several promising mechanisms for using MRI to detect and monitor gene expression in vivo;
  • Evaluate which cell transplantation paradigms are appropriate for including MRI-based cell tracking as an evaluative method;
  • Explain how MRI-based cell tracking data can be quantified;
  • Describe the current status of MRI-based cell tracking in the clinic; and
  • Compare cell based diagnostics with targeted molecular imaging approaches.
 

AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION
This workshop is designed for:
  • Chemists involved in the fabrication of nanoparticles, molecular and cell biologists involved in transgenic animals and cells;
  • Physicists who work in the improvement of MRI pulse sequences;
  • Biomedical engineers involved in regenerative medicine;
  • Biologists involved in cellular therapies;
  • Physicians working in pre-clinical and clinical trials of cellular therapies and/or diagnostics;
  • Industry partners involved in commercialization of nanoparticles and/or MRI technologies; and
  • Government officials involved in medical and/or ethics policy.