Explore our ongoing funded projects
The immune system plays a central role in virtually all diseases, however, available medical imaging methods lack the sensitivity to accurately detect this immune activity. This project aims to overcome this limitation by developing ultra-sensitive methods capable of detecting and localizing areas of inflammation at the earliest signs.
Though Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) play a key role in chronic inflammation, influencing disease course, they cannot be selectively targeted or detected by imaging due to their small size. This project aims to develop injectable superparamagnetic particles to allow for non-invasive TLS detection, followed by their targeted destruction using magnetic hyperthermia.
Susac syndrome is a rare disease of unknown cause, characterized by occlusion of the small vessels in the brain, retina, and inner ear, leading to multiple microinfarctions. The diagnosis of this disease is very complex, and no specific diagnostic biological test exists. This project aims to test our contrast agents specifically designed to visualize brain inflammation in an experimental model of Susac syndrome, with the goal of enabling a non-invasive diagnosis of this condition.
Pulmonary embolism is a major cardiovascular condition with particularly high risks in pregnancy, where current diagnostic imaging exposes patients to ionizing radiation. This project aims to develop a radiation-free diagnostic approach using Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) with engineered superparamagnetic iron oxide aggregates acting as blood-pool tracers.
Stroke is the second leading cause of death and top cause of adult disability. However, effectiveness of current clot treatments remains limited. This project aims to develop smart theragnostic magnetically responsive nanoengineered inorganic nanoparticles. These will offer combined MRI-based diagnosis and treatment via localized hyperthermia and targeted delivery of thrombolytic/ anti-oxidant agent.
This project aims to develop antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that specifically target thrombi to deliver anticoagulant and thrombolytic agents locally in ischemic stroke. By focusing treatment at the clot site, it seeks to improve recanalization efficiency while reducing systemic side effects and bleeding risk. The efficacy and safety of these ADCs will be evaluated in preclinical models of arterial thrombosis and ischemic stroke.
This project aims to assess the potential of the anti-VCAM-1 single-domain antibody (cAbVCAM1-5), previously validated for nuclear imaging of atherosclerosis and liver inflammation in mice. After cAbVCAM1-5 successful GMP production and ongoing phase I/II clinical testing, this study is evaluating its ability to detect chronic inflammation in models of spondyloarthritis, myocardial infarction, and neuroinflammation.
The NeuroTarget project aims to better understand how nerve agents and organophosphate poisoning damage the brain’s neurovascular system, beyond their well-known effects on cholinesterases. It seeks to identify MRI-based biomarkers of neurovascular injury and to evaluate a novel immunotherapy targeting the interaction between tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and NMDA receptors to prevent brain damage after exposure. The ultimate goal is to develop improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for treating severe organophosphate and nerve agent intoxication, including in the context of chemical attacks.
Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) drive chronic inflammation but are hard to target/image. This project will develop injectable, targeted superparamagnetic particles for non-invasive detection of TLS via MRI/MPI. High accumulation will also enable thermal destruction of TLS using magnetic hyperthermia, offering a selective way to suppress local immunity for applications in cancer and autoimmune diseases.