New advanced imaging centre to investigate cardio and inflammation disorders

An imaging technique developed at York University is at the heart of a new £6.8m medical imaging centre in Yorkshire. The centre, which will have facilities in Leeds and York, aims to transform the diagnosis of musculoskeletal diseases, heart disorders and cancer using MRI.

The centre will use a technique originally developed at York University, known as Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange (SABRE). This involves using a metal catalyst to transfer the polarisation of a specific type of hydrogen to molecules in the body, which could be part of the body's own chemistry or drug molecules. This does not change the chemistry of the molecule involved, but makes it more visible to MRI scanners with the result that the signal of the MRI is boosted by up to 200,000 times. Sabre is said to have proved its effectiveness in laboratory trials, and the new imaging centre will develop the technique for use with patients. It is hoped that this will not only provide better insights into the workings of the human body, but may also help develop new drugs.