Dive into Imaging Science

Bioadhesive ultrasound for long-term continuous imaging of diverse organs

* GUEST: Metin Sitti, Koç University Istanbul Welcome to Episode 18 of “Dive into Imaging Science”! 🎧 Tune in to hear from an inspirational figure and explore how medical devices – whether implanted or intravenously administered – are set to transform the world we live in.. In this edition, we are delighted to introduce a pioneer in the field of bio-inspired miniature robots: Metin Sitti. A recurring theme across many of our episodes is the importance of working in a curious and inspiring environment, and much of Metin’s inspiration came from his time at UC Berkeley. Now the President of Koç University in Istanbul, he takes us on a journey through his career and shares his passion for improving health outcomes using miniature robots. Metin works at the intersection of science, engineering, and technology through the creation of small-scale robotic and intelligent systems. These robots are being developed at a scale that allows them to be administered into the bloodstream and externally controlled to navigate hard-to-reach regions inside the body. His vision is that these innovations will open a new frontier in medical diagnosis and treatment. 🎯 In this episode, we discuss the development of a small bioadhesive ultrasound device for continuous monitoring over 48 hours. Published in Science from the lab of Xuanhe Zhao, the study describes the challenges overcome in developing such a device and its application in humans – including monitoring blood vessels, the lungs, heart, and stomach. Together, we explore the crucial role of materials science in creating this technology, raise philosophical questions about whether continual monitoring is desirable, and consider how this remarkable system could be improved in the future. 🍸 Tonight’s cocktail it’s named the Gecko Grip, inspired partly by traditions of Greece (Crete) and Turkey, so it had to be based on raki, and Metin’s pioneering work on gecko-inspired adhesion. It’s a precise blend of rakı, dry vermouth, fresh lemon juice. Selected Publication: Wang C, Chen X, Wang L, Makihata M, Liu HC, Zhou T, Zhao X. Bioadhesive ultrasound for long-term continuous imaging of diverse organs. Science. 2022 Jul 29;377(6605):517-523. doi: 10.1126/science.abo2542. Epub 2022 Jul 28. PMID: 35901155. [https://www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.1126/science.abo2542] Further information on the European Society for Molecular Imaging: https://e-smi.eu/ [https://e-smi.eu/] Contact: office@e-smi.eu [office@e-smi.eu]

[177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE plus long-acting octreotide versus high‑dose long-acting octreotide for the treatment of newly diagnosed, advanced grade 2–3, well-differentiated, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours

* GUEST: Rodney Hicks, Melbourne Welcome to Episode 17 of “Dive into Imaging Science”! 🎧 Tune in for a dynamic discussion on how NETTER-2 may reshape treatment strategies for neuroendocrine tumours, what it means for the wider field of theranostics, and where radioligand therapy is headed next. For our seventeenth edition, we are at the stunning Certosa di Pontignano [https://www.lacertosadipontignano.com/en/?r] in Tuscany – the home of TOPIM [https://e-smi.eu/meetings/topim/], which focussed this year on Theranostics.  🎯 Suitably, we discuss one of the most important recent studies in the field of nuclear medicine and oncology — the NETTER-2 trial, published in The Lancet in 2024. This landmark phase 3 study was the first to investigate radioligand therapy as a first-line treatment in patients with advanced grade 2–3 gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. The results showed a dramatic improvement in progression-free survival and response rates compared with high-dose octreotide, setting the stage for radioligand therapy as a potential new standard of care.  To guide us through this groundbreaking work, we are joined by a very special guest, Professor Rodney Hicks, a global leader in PET imaging and therapeutic nuclear medicine. Over the past three decades, Rod has been at the forefront of bringing molecular imaging and theranostics from the research lab into routine clinical practice. He has played a pivotal role in shaping how PET is used to diagnose, monitor, and now treat cancer, and his vision has helped establish theranostics as one of the most exciting frontiers in oncology today.  The paper Markita selected for this episode, from Yulong Li’s lab and published in Science, features a sophisticated molecular sensor that reads out dopamine signalling in the brain via far-red fluorescence. 🍸 To top off our series of firsts, Giannis finally had a cocktail with us. For our first live recording, we wantedinitially to connect with Melbourne and Australia… maybe even F1-inspired. But after 10 minutes with Rod, we ditched that plan. His love of Greek mythology led us straight to Absinthe — named after Artemis herself. Fast-forward to a wild hunt across Tuscany, ten taste-tests, and some brilliant Certosa bartenders later, we landed on: The Siena Bliss — Absinthe, Mezcal, Aperol & lime: bold, mythical, and a little Tuscan magic. Selected Publication: [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE plus long-acting octreotide versus high‑dose long-acting octreotide for the treatment of newly diagnosed, advanced grade 2–3, well-differentiated, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETTER-2): an open-label, randomised, phase 3 study. Singh, Simron et al.The Lancet, Volume 403, Issue 10446, 2807 – 2817 [https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)00701-3/abstract] Further information on the European Society for Molecular Imaging: https://e-smi.eu/ [https://e-smi.eu/] Contact: office@e-smi.eu [office@e-smi.eu]

In vivo multiplex imaging of dynamic neurochemical networks with designed far-red dopamine sensors

* GUEST: Markita Del Carpio Landry, UC Berkeley Welcome to Episode 16 of “Dive into Imaging Science”! 🎧 Tune in for a dynamic discussion on innovative probes work, the function of dopamine in the brain, and how these new imaging tools can be used in the future to reveal new biology. This episode features a truly special guest: Markita Del Carpio Landry, the inaugural Trailblazer Plenary Lecturer at the upcoming EMIM in Ljubljana [https://e-smi.eu/meetings/emim/2026_ljubljana/] next March!  "The Trailblazer Lecture celebrates a rising leader in imaging science whose trajectory is unmistakably pointing toward lasting impact and excellence at the highest level. Markita is a perfect fit for such an accolade." In the Landry lab, they have pioneered synthetic bio-mimetic nanocomposites for fluorescence imaging and targeted delivery of biological cargoes.  We talk with Markita about her career path, about the excitement to develop new imaging tools, and how gaining an academic position gave her the freedom to explore biological questions. We also discuss the importance of collaboration in science.  🎯 The paper Markita selected for this episode, from Yulong Li’s lab and published in Science, features a sophisticated molecular sensor that reads out dopamine signalling in the brain via far-red fluorescence. The group describes how this innovative new tool can be multiplexed with other fluorescent readouts of acetylcholine and cyclic AMP. Starting in cells, before progressing to tissue sections, zebrafish, and finally in living mice, they demonstrate the ability to detect multiple neurochemicals simultaneously – quite a feat!  🍸 For this episode a cocktail to celebrate the inauguration of the trailblazer lectures and invites to our podcast. The Champagne Cocktail. Recipe: A sugar cube in a flute glass, coated with Angostura bitters, then a shot of Cognac and top up with Champagne. A twist to the most loved celebration drink! Selected Publication: Yu Zheng et al. In vivo multiplex imaging of dynamic neurochemical networks with designed far-red dopamine sensors. Science 388, eadt7705(2025). DOI:10.1126/science.adt7705 [https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt7705] Further information on the European Society for Molecular Imaging: https://e-smi.eu/ [https://e-smi.eu/] Contact: office@e-smi.eu [office@e-smi.eu]

In Vivo Assessment of Deep Vascular Patterns in Murine Colitis Using Optoacoustic Mesoscopic Imaging

* GUEST: Vasilis Ntziachristos 🎧 Tune in for a dynamic discussion on how the interplay of light and sound is revolutionizing our understanding of disease. 🎙️ Welcome to Episode 15 of “Dive into Imaging Science”! In this edition, we’re delighted to introduce: none other than Vasilis Ntziachristos as our guest! Vasilis is a distinguished leader in the field of optical and optoacoustic imaging, renowned for his pioneering work in fluorescence molecular tomography, fluorescence-guided surgery, and optoacoustic mesoscopy. But his career didn’t begin there. In this episode, we learn how a shift from physics to engineering – and from NMR to optical imaging – was sparked by the influence of key mentors in the field. With his characteristic charm and charisma, Vasilis reflects on the importance of surrounding oneself with those who challenge boundaries and reimagine what’s possible – an ethos that has defined his own scientific journey.. 🎯 Staying close to home, this episode explores how optoacoustic mesoscopic imaging is being used to study colitis, inspired by research from the labs of Sarah Bohndiek in Cambridge and Adrian Regensburger in Erlangen: Published in Advanced Science, their work introduces a novel ‘transrectal absorber guide’ – an imaging approach that enables visualization of the colon from outside the body. Using this new method, they surprisingly demonstrate how inflammation reduces blood vessel coverage and length but increases vessel diameter. Vasilis walks us through the fundamentals of this technique, and we dive into the nuances of signal acquisition and image segmentation.. 🍸 For this episode it was quite easy to choose. Something that takes us back 20 years or so in Boston and the early days of fluorescence molecular tomography, a drink enjoyed at Sonsie, one of the best bars in downtown Boston at Newbury street: The Grey Goose martini – a twist on the vodka martini cocktail. Recipe: 3 parts Grey Goose Vodka, 1 part dry Vermouth and garnish with cocktail olives. Great things can come in very simple forms. Selected Publication: Buehler A, Brown EL, Nedoschill E, Eckstein M, Ludwig P, Wachter F, Mandelbaum H, Raming R, Oraiopoulou ME, Paulus LP, Rother U, Friedrich O, Neurath MF, Woelfle J, Waldner MJ, Knieling F, Bohndiek SE, Regensburger AP. In Vivo Assessment of Deep Vascular Patterns in Murine Colitis Using Optoacoustic Mesoscopic Imaging. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2024 Dec;11(45):e2404618. doi: 10.1002/advs.202404618. Epub 2024 Oct 22. PMID: 39439243; PMCID: PMC11615813. [https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/advs.202404618] Further information on the European Society for Molecular Imaging: https://e-smi.eu/ [https://e-smi.eu/] Contact: office@e-smi.eu [office@e-smi.eu]

Development of a 213Bi-Labeled Pyridyl Benzofuran for Targeted α-Therapy of Amyloid-β Aggregates

* GUEST: Peter J.H. Scott, University Michigan (Ann Arbor) 🎙️ Welcome to Episode 14 of "Dive into Imaging Science"! In this edition, we’re thrilled to welcome a very special guest: Peter Scott! Peter’s passion for radiochemistry and his dedication to translating research into clinical applications have made a lasting impact on the field of Theranostics – also the central theme of this year’s TOPIM  [https://www.topim.eu/](don’t forget to check it out!). By following Peter’s inspiring career journey, we gain valuable insights into how the field has evolved over the years. The Scott Lab focuses on using PET radiotracers to deepen our understanding of disease mechanisms and to develop companion diagnostics that support therapeutic innovation. A key focus of Peter’s work is the design and synthesis of novel PET tracers for imaging CNS disorders. 🎯 This brings us to this episode’s spotlight topic: Radiotheranostics in Alzheimer’s Disease. Our discussion is sparked by a study from the group of Tara E. Mastren at the University of Utah, published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. The paper investigates the use of targeted alpha therapy to reduce Amyloid-β aggregates – an intriguing approach that raises important questions about its potential in Alzheimer’s treatment. We explore the immense potential of radiotheranostics in CNS disorders, as well as key challenges such as delivering compounds across the blood-brain barrier and minimizing effects on healthy tissue. 🍸 Continuing our tradition, we celebrate our guest with a special cocktail — this time, a nod to Peter’s love of gin and his British background. For this edition: the "Bee’s Knees", a classic from the Prohibition era, with a modern twist inspired by The Gin Vault in Birmingham. A simple, elegant sour to keep us energized — and just the right mix of sharp, sweet, and smooth. Recipe: 3 parts Gin – 1 part lemon juice – 1 part blood orange juice – ½ part honey syrup 🎧 Tune in for a deep and dynamic discussion at the intersection of chemistry, imaging, and clinical innovation! Selected Publication: Bender AA, Kirkeby EK, Cross DJ, Minoshima S, Roberts AG, Mastren TE. Development of a 213Bi-Labeled Pyridyl Benzofuran for Targeted α-Therapy of Amyloid-β Aggregates. J Nucl Med. 2024 Sep 3;65(9):1467-1472. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.124.267482. PMID: 39054283 [https://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/early/2024/07/25/jnumed.124.267482]. Further information on the European Society for Molecular Imaging: https://e-smi.eu/ [https://e-smi.eu/] Contact: office@e-smi.eu [office@e-smi.eu]