Service Project 02

Flux imaging with magnetic resonance (MR) techniques is a non-invasive approach to measure and visualize dynamic metabolic fluxes in vivo. MR spectroscopy (MRS) can be used to quantify steady state metabolite concentrations and by application of isotope-enriched compounds (e.g., 13C, 2H) or saturation transfer (ST) methods (31P), also rates of biochemical reactions and substrate turnover can be determined, altogether termed ‘flux imaging’. Our preclinical and clinical platform characterize function, tissue texture, metabolite concentrations, metabolite fluxes, and inflammation in diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We focus on the heart and promoter organs to assess metabolites and visualize metabolic dynamics longitudinally.