New approach to magnetising molecules ‘could aid future MRI developments’

Researchers have developed a new method of magnetising molecules found naturally in the human body, potentially opening the door for new imaging advances.

A team from the University of York have found a way to transfer the magnetism of parahydrogen – a magnetic form of hydrogen gas – into molecules such as glucose, urea and pyruvate, using ammonia as a carrier to hyperpolarise the substances without changing their chemical composition, which would risk them becoming toxic.

Currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans play a major role in medical treatment, but these require a bulky superconducting magnet that costs millions of pounds to purchase. The equipment is also inefficient, with a typical hospital scanner effectively detecting only one molecule in every 200,000.

By using this new method to hyperpolarise molecules, new MRI technology could be developed that requires only smaller, cheaper magnets, or even the Earth's ambient magnetic field. This could allow real-time imaging to be performed using compact devices, with no need for expensive investments.

Professor Simon Duckett, from the Centre for Hyperpolarisation in Magnetic Resonance at the University of York's Department of Chemistry, said: "We think we have the potential to achieve with MRI what could be compared to improvements in computing power and performance over the last 40 years."

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