Job describtion

Objectives: The task of ESR6 will be to look at the performance of different PFC formulations for 19F MRI comparing for example polymer-based particles and lipo-emulsions. Currently, there is no clinical MRI contrast agent available for absolute quantification of tissue perfusion, where clinical evaluation of myocardial perfusion with MRI is based on semi-quantitative analysis of first-pass perfusion, similar to (gated)SPECT scintigraphy. Reliable quantitative organ perfusion is only possible with Oxygen-PET, but this is technically and financially challenging, since a large-scale cyclotron is needed for that purpose. Intermediate alternatives are known, such as Rubidium and Perfluorane PET, but the dose-response relation is not optimal, especially for Rubidium PET. In the current study, we will develop a 19F-based contrast agent for absolute tissue perfusion in a pig model scanned in a clinical 3T MRI system.

Expected Results

Once contrast is injected for evaluation of tissue perfusion, the generated contrast can also be used for MRI of the blood vessels in a later imaging phase. Both venous and arterial structures can then be imaged this way. This makes 19F-based angiography very clinically useful

Planned secondments

To UCAM for 3 months (m15-17) for the detection of CORMs. To UNIJ for 2 months (m28-29) to learn about PFC quantification during cellular uptake. To PERC and HMR for 3 months each (m22-27) to learn small animal imaging and to perform molecular imaging experiments and analytical biochemistry assays. Scientific Risk assessment: Current GBCAs possess a high background signal, whereas 19F-based PFCs have no background signal as the naturally oc

You either a medical doctor (MD), or have a background in Biomedical science and/or Technical medicine. You will be employed at the LUMC, which is also the PhD academic awarding centre. To be eligible for this ESR position, you must be in the first 4 years of your research career and NOT have worked in The Netherlands for more than 12 months in total over the period of the last three years prior to joining NOVA-MRI. The ESR would work almost exclusively within LUMC. To be eligible for this position, it is usually a person living outside of the Netherlands (can be both inside and outside of the EU).

Fixed-term contract: 3 years.

As a PhD candidate, you will be appointed for the duration of three years. Your salary is a maximum of € 2,422 in the first year, amounting to a maximum of € 3,103 in the final year (scale PhD students, Collective Labour Agreement University Medical Centers).

LUMC

The LUMC, situated in Leiden, the Netherlands, is an academic medical centre for patient care, research and education, aiming to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s health care. It has a strong focus on research, connecting and combining fundamental research into disease-causing mechanisms with patient-focussed studies in areas like oncology, regenerative medicine and population health. The LUMC has research facilities that include capabilities for multiple appliances. The combination with clinical and societal outreach programmes allows for ground-breaking research and innovation in basic and applied science.