CMST Action COST D38
Metal-Based Systems for Molecular Imaging Applications
Descriptions are provided by the Actions directly via e-COST.
The main objective of the Action is the development of metal-based imaging probes for
cellular and molecular imaging applications, based on MRI, PET, SPECT and optical imaging
that will facilitate early diagnosis, assessment of disease progression and treatment
evaluation.
The goal of this Action is to further the development of innovative imaging probes through the
pursuit of innovations in a number of different areas, ranging from the design of imaging units
endowed with enhanced sensitivity to the control of the structural and electronic determinants
responsible for the molecular recognition of the target molecule.
At present, in vivo diagnostic systems basically assess the structure and function of human
organs. Therefore, for important diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular pathologies,
and also diseases of the central nervous system, only the late symptoms are detected. It is
expected that the advances in genomics and proteomics will have a tremendous impact on
human health care of the future. However, advances in molecular biology are already
redefining diseases in terms of molecular abnormalities. With this knowledge, new
generations of diagnostic imaging agents can be defined that aim at the detection of those
molecular processes in vivo.
The molecular imaging approach offers a great potential for earlier detection and
characterisation of disease, and evaluation of treatment. However, more research is
necessary to bring these ideas to clinical applications and a key aspect relates to the
development of high-specificity, high-sensitivity imaging probes for the different detection
modalities.
Additionally, the Action includes research activities dealing with the exploitation of peculiar
nuclear properties of given isotopes for therapeutic effects, thus integrating the diagnostic
and the therapeutic stages.
Apart from its use in early diagnosis in clinical practice, the molecular imaging approach will
have also a major impact on the development of new pharmaceuticals. The regulatory
agencies indicate that the use of ‘surrogate or bio-markers’ can accelerate drug approval
procedures. Molecular imaging can be considered as such a bio-marker, since it has great
potential to make better predictions on the effectiveness and toxicity of drugs. Therefore, the
development of this field will not only enable early diagnosis, but will also significantly
increase the availability and ‘speed to market’ of new drugs.
Chemistry and Molecular Sciences and Technologies COST Action D38
- Description
- Parties
- Management Committee
General Information*
Chair of the Action:
Dr Eva JAKAB TOTH (FR)
Vice Chair of the Action:
Prof. Frank ROSCH (DE)
DC Rapporteurs:
Prof. Jan REEDIJK (NL)
