SWIMMOT | Switchable magneto-plasmonic contrast agents and molecular imaging technologies

Summary
SWIMMOT will establish the scientific and technological basis for a radically new technique for in vivo molecular imaging based on a switchable contrast agent (CA) and corresponding optical imaging technology. Our CA will be based on novel magnetic core / plasmonic gold shell nanorods with specifically engineered biofunctional shells. We will develop a new magneto-plasmonic imaging technique based on magnetic excitation and plasmonic signal generation to realise multimodal optical coherence tomography / photoacoustic imaging modes. The magneto-plasmonic imaging technique will turn our CA on and off, which will allow complete removal of the imaging background. This discrimination of the background from the CA signal will yield ultra-high contrast molecular imaging. In addition, SWIMMOT, for the first time, will enable in vivo quantification of soluble biomarker concentrations and visualisation down to cellular resolution, which holds the potential to revolutionise molecular imaging and to surpass all current technological paradigms.

These science and technology breakthroughs will enable detection of previously inaccessible in vivo physiology and molecular events, and elucidation of until now poorly understood biological mechanisms through studies in model organisms. This will in turn contribute to a better understanding of normal processes and disease pathogenesis. Thus, SWIMMOT will ultimately lead to earlier disease diagnostics for humans and to the development of new therapy concepts (including drugs). We will apply the SWIMMOT technology for diabetes research and will demonstrate its breakthrough potential for uncovering new biomolecular mechanisms in zebrafish model organisms.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/899612
Start date: 01-10-2020
End date: 31-03-2025
Total budget - Public funding: 3 466 568,75 Euro - 3 466 568,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

SWIMMOT will establish the scientific and technological basis for a radically new technique for in vivo molecular imaging based on a switchable contrast agent (CA) and corresponding optical imaging technology. Our CA will be based on novel magnetic core / plasmonic gold shell nanorods with specifically engineered biofunctional shells. We will develop a new magneto-plasmonic imaging technique based on magnetic excitation and plasmonic signal generation to realise multimodal optical coherence tomography / photoacoustic imaging modes. The magneto-plasmonic imaging technique will turn our CA on and off, which will allow complete removal of the imaging background. This discrimination of the background from the CA signal will yield ultra-high contrast molecular imaging. In addition, SWIMMOT, for the first time, will enable in vivo quantification of soluble biomarker concentrations and visualisation down to cellular resolution, which holds the potential to revolutionise molecular imaging and to surpass all current technological paradigms.

These science and technology breakthroughs will enable detection of previously inaccessible in vivo physiology and molecular events, and elucidation of until now poorly understood biological mechanisms through studies in model organisms. This will in turn contribute to a better understanding of normal processes and disease pathogenesis. Thus, SWIMMOT will ultimately lead to earlier disease diagnostics for humans and to the development of new therapy concepts (including drugs). We will apply the SWIMMOT technology for diabetes research and will demonstrate its breakthrough potential for uncovering new biomolecular mechanisms in zebrafish model organisms.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

FETOPEN-01-2018-2019-2020

Update Date

27-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.2. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)
H2020-EU.1.2.1. FET Open
H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2020
FETOPEN-01-2018-2019-2020 FET-Open Challenging Current Thinking