What we do
About our project
What is the motivation for this research?
Ultrasound contrast agents are comprised of phospholipid-coated gas microbubbles, 1-10 μm in size, that vibrate (expand and compress) in response to ultrasound. However, the vibration of current microbubbles is unpredictable and thus a huge problem for the new theranostic applications of microbubbles: ultrasound molecular imaging and drug delivery.
What is the aim?
The aim of the project is to produce and characterize a novel theranostic ultrasound contrast agent consisting of phospholipid-coated microbubbles of which the response to ultrasound is predictable and thus on demand.
How will you perform this research?
To achieve the novel theranostic microbubbles, microbubbles will be produced and characterized physico-chemically and acoustically.
What is the desirable outcome?
The results of this project could potentially result in more effective ultrasound molecular imaging and drug delivery through the development of microbubbles that will respond predictable and on demand to ultrasound.
Funds & Grants
Collaborations
Collaborations within Erasmus MC
Pathology
Collaborations outside Erasmus MC
Physical Chemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Blume lab
Publications
- Ligand Distribution and Lipid Phase Behavior in Phospholipid- Coated Microbubbles and Monolayers
- Combined Confocal Microscope and Brandaris 128 Ultra-High-Speed Camera
- Ultrasound-Responsive Cavitation Nuclei for Therapy and Drug Delivery
- The Impact of Lipid Handling and Phase Distribution on the Acoustic Behavior of Microbubbles
