MPI Technology Now Available to Medical Researchers in Australia

Medical researchers in Australia now have access to a new imaging technology called Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) that can give researchers improved insight into organ and tissue function, with sensitivity comparable to that of nuclear medicine, the speed of Computed Tomography (CT), and the resolution of Magnetic Resolution Imaging (MRI).

MPI provides improved sensitivity, resolution, and contrast over existing imaging technologies, by using Super Paramagentic Iron Oxide (SPiO) nanoparticles to tag cells anywhere in the body, at any tissue depth. MPI enables researchers to quantify what is actually happening in real time, and in vivo. In addition, MPI does not expose patients to ionizing radiation.

The new technology was part of a partnership agreement between AXT and Magnetic Insights. Momentum, the first MPI system can be used to generate quantitative images that analyze functional responses to drugs and treatments, in oncology, immunology, vascular function, and stem cell research, amongst others. The MPI technology could be used in the future to enable early detection and monitoring of neurovascular diseases such as stroke.

CEO of Magnetic Insight, Dr. Anna Christensen, said, “We are changing the landscape of diagnostic imaging with the impact of what MRI, PET and CT offered over 30 years ago. MPI complements many of the existing imaging modalities but also provides researchers and doctors levels of information that were not previously possible, all without radiation. We look forward to working with the team at AXT to bring this technology to Australia.”