Selective Copper(II) detection via frequency-encoded ParaCEST/Parashift MRI: rational design of contrast agents through spectroscopic studies – Cocorico

Misregulation of the quantity of Cu(II) is connected to diseases. It is then highly desirable to image it by MRI to gain more insight into homeostasis, diseases, and allow early diagnosis. However, conversely to Zn(II), Cu(II) detection is still in its infancy. One challenge is the selectivity of the probes, achieved only through chemical selectivity. To address the unmet need of selective Cu2+ detection, we propose a fundamentally different strategy by taking advantage of the spectroscopic properties rather than the chemical selectivity of the probes. Therefore we propose to develop frequency-encoded ParaCEST and Parashift contrast agents. The success of this project relies on a strong consortium of MRI contrast agent specialists (synthesis and characterization), coordination chemists, spectroscopists (NMR and EPR) and theoreticians.