Center Initiatives
DF/HCC Strategic Initiatives
Molecular Imaging Initiative
Molecular Imaging Initiative
Center for Molecular Imaging Research at Harvard
With over 90 members, the Center for Molecular Imaging Research (CMIR) at Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital is one of the largest molecular imaging centers in the United States. CMIR provides a multidisciplinary research environment that spans the gamut from target discovery (genomics, proteomics, data mining) to chemical synthesis of novel imaging agents, along with genetic engineering, mouse imaging, and clinical discovery programs.
CMIR comprises several research programs:
- Clinical Discovery Program (CDP): Harisinghani
- Mouse Imaging Program (MIP): Mahmood
- Cellular Imaging Program (CIP): Pittet
- Laboratory for Biooptical Imaging (LBMI): Ntziachristos
- Molecular Libraries of Imaging Agents (MLIA): Weissleder
CMIR operates one of the best-equipped mouse imaging programs in the country, with state-of-the-art mouse-housing facilities to import mice from different DF/HCC-affiliated programs. The clinical program at CMIR is engaged in several trials involving nanoparticles and other imaging agents.
For more information see: http://cmir.mgh.harvard.edu
Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNE) at MIT and Harvard
The central goals of the Harvard-MIT CCNE are:
- To rapidly translate advances in nanotechnology into tools for use in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
- To develop the next generation of nanomaterials for this purpose.
The application brings together a group of highly accomplished MIT and Harvard investigators with diverse expertise and an impressive record in developing novel nanomaterials, translating specific nanomaterials for clinical use, and exploring the basic mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis and metastasis.
Drs. Robert Langer at MIT and Ralph Weissleder at Harvard lead this program, which is associated with the MIT Center for Cancer Research and the Harvard Cancer Center. The CCNE interacts closely with many other Centers and Programs at MIT and Harvard.
The CCNE investigative team will participate in five innovative and well-integrated research projects:
- Project 1 (Langer, Farokhzad) will investigate novel nanoparticle-aptamer conjugates for improved targeting of prostate cancer.
- Project 2 (Sharp, Bhatia) will develop new siRNA delivery and targeting strategies for use in treatment of lung cancers and glioblastoma.
- Project 3 (Weissleder, Josephson) will develop clinically viable, next-generation magnetic nanoparticles for targeted multimodal imaging of cancer.
- Project 4 (Cima) will develop unique miniaturized devices for molecular sensing.
- Project 5 (Belcher, Bawendi) will develop and test novel semiconductor nanocrystals for biomedical sensing.
In the first year, up to eight pilot projects will be developed as a means of attracting new investigators to the consortium, to stimulate creative high-impact research, and to rapidly test new nanomaterials.
The five main CCNE projects and subsequent pilot projects have great clinical significance in terms of biosensing as well as for in vivo imaging. In addition to an Administrative Core, these projects are supported by a Toxicity Core and a Mouse Models Core.
- The Toxicity Core screens for toxicity of novel materials in cell-based assays and in vivo models, both in-house and in collaboration with the NCI Nanomaterials Characterization Laboratory and Charles River Laboratories.
- The Mouse Models Core will provide broad access to biologically relevant animal models of human cancer and will facilitate in vivo testing of biodistribution, safety, and therapeutic efficacy of novel nanomaterials.
For additional information:
The current webpointer is http://cmir.mgh.harvard.edu/nano
