EXC 1003 FF-2015-12 - Photoacoustic Molecular Imaging in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Basic data for this project

Type of project: Subproject in DFG-joint project hosted at University of Münster

Duration at the University of Münster: 01/07/2015 - 30/06/2016 | 1st Funding period

Description

Rheumatoid arthritis is the principal form of inflammatory arthritis, characterized by a relapsing/remitting course of disease activity, which is a serious challenge for individualised patient care. Activated phagocytes significantly contribute to the disease progression of rheumatoid arthritis by releasing high levels of S100A8/S100A9. We successfully demonstrated the feasibility of S100A9 imaging in vivo by using optical fluorescence imaging. In this project, we aim to overcome current depth limitations of S100A9 imaging by investigating the novel imaging technology photoacoustics, which is based on ultrasound. The combination of S100A9 based photoacustic imaging and ultrasound visualization of tissue destruction hopefully allows for non-invasive monitoring of disease activity.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis; inflammatory arthritis; phagocytes

Funder / funding scheme:

DFG - Cluster of Excellence (EXC)

Project management at the University of Münster

Hermann, Sven

European Institute of Molecular Imaging (EIMI)

Applicants from the University of Münster