Design of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Molecular Probes for Hyperpolarized Bioimaging

Abstract

Nuclear hyperpolarization has emerged as a method to dramatically enhance the sensitivity of NMR. By applying this powerful tool, small molecules with stable isotopes have been subjected to highly sensitive biomedical molecular imaging. The recent development of molecular probes for hyperpolarized in vivo analysis has demonstrated the ability of this technique to provide unique metabolic and physiological information. This review presents a brief introduction of hyperpolarization technology, approaches to rational design of molecular probes for hyperpolarized analysis, and examples of molecules that have met with in vitro or in vivo success.