Using Bacteria for MRI Tumor Imaging
Author Information
Author(s): Hill Philip J., Stritzker Jochen, Scadeng Miriam, Geissinger Ulrike, Haddad Daniel, Basse-Lüsebrink Thomas C., Gbureck Uwe, Jakob Peter, Szalay Aladar A.
Primary Institution: Genelux Corporation
Hypothesis
Can bacterial ferritins be used as MRI reporter genes to visualize tumors?
Conclusion
Bacterial ferritins can be effectively used as MRI reporter genes to monitor tumor colonization and gene expression.
Supporting Evidence
- Bacterial ferritins showed significant effects on MRI contrast.
- Bacterioferritin was identified as the most promising reporter gene.
- Tumor-specific induction of bacterioferritin expression resulted in observable MRI contrast changes.
Takeaway
Scientists used special bacteria to help see tumors in pictures taken by a big machine called MRI. This helps doctors find and understand tumors better.
Methodology
Bacterial ferritins were overexpressed in E. coli and analyzed for MRI contrast in tumor-bearing mice.
Potential Biases
Potential conflicts of interest due to funding from a corporation involved in the research.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on specific bacterial strains and may not generalize to all bacteria.
Participant Demographics
Mice were used in the study, specifically BALB/c female mice.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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