My primary research interests lie in the field of in vivo molecular imaging. Specific research interests over the last 10 years have included the development of novel molecular probes for MR imaging, methods to image cell trafficking and homing, imaging of gene expression in vivo and development of novel imaging technologies, in particular different magnetic resonance and optical imaging methods. These basic research interests go hand-in hand with my clinical interests in interventional and oncologic imaging. Specific examples of translational research have included the development of novel magnetic nanoparticles for MR imaging; the development of enzyme activatable probes for the detection of early cancers by minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy; and clinical testing of long circulating polymers for angiogenesis imaging.

Molecular libraries and screens: One of the current areas of interest is the creation and use of entire libraries of imaging agents and their screening to identify hits for molecular targets of interest. Using this approach we have identified unique molecules and nanomaterials with specificity for activated and resting macrophages, subsets of endothelial cells and specific tumor cells.

Nanomaterials: Another area of interest is the exploration of novel nanomaterials to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents. We have developed a series of new nanomaterials for specific applications in cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Stem cells: Another long standing research interest has been the imaging and tracking of individual cell populations in vivo especially stem cells. While we developed methods of superparamagnetic cell labeling over 10 years ago, it has not been until very recently that the use of membrane translocation signals has afforded the much required higher loading capacity of cells. Having the necessary tools at hand, we are now interested in exploring how the localization and retrieval of cell populations in vivo will enable detailed analysis of specific stem cell and organ interactions critical for advancing the therapeutic use of stem cells. Another area of interest is the identification of new affinity ligands for different stem cell types to allow their visualization in vivo.