Discrete bottlebrush polymers as metal-free MRI contrast agents
Official title: Discrete Polymer-based, Metal-free MRI Contrast Agents
Funded at Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge · NIH-11332865 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, metal-free MRI contrast agent made from water-soluble, discrete bottlebrush polymers could help doctors see tissues more clearly without using metal-based substances.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baton Rouge, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $364,360 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151217-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332865 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients who require MRI imaging and could benefit from safer contrast agents, including those with contraindications to metal-based contrasts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients needing imaging modalities that do not rely on polymer-based 19F contrast mechanisms or those unable to tolerate novel polymer-based agents may see no benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to design and synthesize water-soluble bottlebrush polymers with alternating phospholipid and fluorinated units that act as 19F MRI contrast agents. By using discrete molecular weights and branched architectures, the team hopes to achieve sharp imaging signals with high biocompatibility. The approach focuses on optimizing the polymer design, sequence, and balance of lipophilic and hydrophilic parts to minimize signal broadening while remaining safe for clinical use. If successful, these agents could offer an alternative to metal-based contrast media with potential for broader imaging applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may benefit from safer, metal-free MRI contrast options with clearer images.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise in polymer-based, non-metal imaging agents, but discrete bottlebrush polymers for 19F MRI are an emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lawrence, Jimmy — Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
- Study coordinator: Lawrence, Jimmy
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.