CH3403: Bio-imaging Applications of Coordination Chemistry

School Cardiff School of Chemistry
Department Code CHEMY
Module Code CH3403
External Subject Code 101043
Number of Credits 10
Level L7
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Professor Simon Pope
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2015/6

Outline Description of Module

The module consists of three main topics associated with the application of inorganic coordination compounds to biological and biomedical imaging: optical, magnetic resonance and radioimaging will be covered. The module will provide a brief technical background to each of the imaging modalities and then focus upon the use and application of metal coordination compounds in each. Aspects of synthesis, spectroscopic characterisation and molecular design will be described, and the ability to rationalise the relationship between complex structure and function (including the biological context) will be a fundamental focus.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

Knowledge

  • know the fundamental concepts and principles that underpin optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging and radioimaging via SPECT and PET techniques.
  • understand the concepts that drive the ligand design and choice of metal ion for a given imaging application
  • know the synthetic pathways to the target species, and spectroscopic techniques required for elucidating the key physical properties of the imaging agents.
  • know the key methodologies for ensuring biocompatibility and complex stability in vitro and in vivo.

Understanding

  • understand how spectroscopic techniques can be used to underpin the design of imaging agents.
  • understand the pros and cons of different classes of metal complex species to a given imaging technique
  • appreciate the biological implications and restrictions associated with the different imaging modalities.

How the module will be delivered

This module will be delivered in 10 two-hour lectures, supplemented by 4 1-hour class tutorials, and consists of three distinct blocks, each covering a different imaging modality and the type of metal complex that can be applied to it.  A series of lectures will introduce these topics. Three workshops will be used to introduce students to the state-of-the-art via the primary literature.

Skills that will be practised and developed

Ability to rationalise ligand structure, metal complex physical properties, biocompatibility and subsequent applications to a given imaging technique.

The engagement with the primary literature and an ability to scientifically critique published material will be developed.

How the module will be assessed

The module will be assessed by a combination of coursework (20%) and written examination (80%). Coursework will be broken down into 3 short, problem-based pieces of work (equally weighted).

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Exam - Autumn Semester 80 Bio-Imaging Applications Of Coordination Chemistry 2
Written Assessment 20 Written Assignments N/A

Syllabus content

Optical imaging using Luminescence

Background on confocal fluorescence microscopy for cellular imaging

Background on photophysics – Stokes shift, Jablonski diagram, time resolved vs steady state measurements,  quenching pathways, types of emission, tuning emission through ligand design.

Types of TM-based lumophore including descriptions of ligand design, photophysics and applications to imaging and biocompatibility

                  - d6 Ru(II), Os(II), Re(I), Ir(III)

                  - d8 Pt(II)

                  - d10 Au(I)

Types of Ln(III)-based lumophore including descriptions of ligand design, photophysics and applications to imaging and biocompatibility

                  - visible emission using Eu(III) and Tb(III)

                  - near-IR emission using Nd(III) and Yb(III)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Contrast Agents

Background on magnetic resonance imaging. The history and the basic principles of the experiment.

Background on the fundamental properties and design of T1 and T2 contrast agents.

Types of complexes used for T1 contrast- lanthanide, transition metal and organic molecules.

Types of complexes used for T2 contrast- lanthanides and transition metal clusters.

Using CEST and PARACEST for imaging.

Assessing new contrast agents –solubility, stability and the NMRD.

Dual mode imaging and the theranostic approach.

Gamma Radio-Imaging via SPECT and PET

Background to gamma imaging – physical basis of the techniques, data capture and imaging
Single Photon Emission Tomography (SPECT)
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) -
general properties of PET/SPECT isotopes, half lives, imaging resolution, biological matching

Background to functional imaging vs. structural imaging –
organ perfusion imaging, inflammation imaging, bone imaging (SPECT)
biologically active PET probes (FDG, F-DOPA, etc.)

Ligand design for SPECT and PET isotopes and metal complexes –
Tc complexes for SPECT
Ga, Cu, Zr, Y complexes in PET

Essential Reading and Resource List

Principles of Fluorescence Microscopy, J.R. Lakowicz

Background Reading and Resource List

References to the primary literature will be given throughout the series of lectures.


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