Discussion on Podcast: Eliminating Language Barriers in Research Application
In the heart of Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania is making significant strides in the field of molecular imaging. This cutting-edge research is being spearheaded by a team of dedicated scientists and physicians, including Terence Gade, an associate professor of radiology and cancer biology, and Saurabh (Harry) Jha, an associate professor of radiology.
Gade, a physician-scientist, is leading the charge at the Penn Image-Guided Interventions (PIGI) Lab. His research focuses on translational research for the development of novel imaging approaches and advanced therapeutics in interventional radiology. Gade emphasizes the importance of a team science approach in his work, and he underscores the critical knowledge gained from the medical residency.
Jha, on the other hand, is renowned for his work in radiology education. He developed Value of Imaging, a set of radiology educational resources that are widely used. The Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (ITMAT) at UPenn, which includes investigators from all schools at UPenn, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Wistar Institute, is another hub of innovation.
One of the most exciting developments in molecular imaging is the potential use of Hyperpolarized MRI. This new imaging modality has the ability to identify latent disease and inspire thinking about how to target it. In fact, Hyperpolarized MRI is currently being used in a clinical trial.
However, the limitations of molecular imaging are not to be underestimated. Balancing high resolution and specificity with complexity, cost, and computational demand is a significant challenge. Highly precise molecular imaging and simulations often require extensive computational resources, limiting their application to smaller systems. Larger biomolecules pose challenges due to their complexity and size, making exact modeling difficult. Furthermore, current molecular imaging techniques may struggle to fully capture dynamic biological processes at the molecular level.
Despite these challenges, progress is being made. Molecular imaging strategies are advancing, with PET scanners improving resolution to almost resemble old CT scanners. Mitchell Schnall, MD, PhD, serves as group co-chair of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group and is an international leader in translational biomedical and imaging research.
The discussion revolves around the potential therapeutic translation of hyperpolarized MRI, steps to scaling, reimbursement, and incentives, scanner capabilities, parametric maps as data, adoption, workflow issues, and the domain of interventional radiology. The panel in a recent podcast discussed developing relevant imaging strategies that address clinical deficiencies, the incorporation of radiochemistry and nuclear medicine in radiology, and where we are with spatial resolution in molecular imaging.
Clinician scientists at Penn Medicine are credited with advances in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, and understanding beta-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. With such a rich history of innovation, it's no wonder that the University of Pennsylvania is at the forefront of molecular imaging research.
