Imaging kidney perfusion with inhaled hyperpolarized xenon

Assessment of kidney perfusion in the vascular and tissue compartments could aid the understanding of physiological mechansims such as filtration and also help in early diagnosis of chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Dissolved hyperpolarized xenon-129 (129Xe) MRI is an
emerging technique pioneered in Sheffeld by the Polaris group. Inhaled xenon readily dissolves in the blood and is transported to distal organs such as the brain and the kidneys. Dissolved hyperpolarized 129Xe was recently imaged in the human kidney and 129Xe uptake dynamics in an individual kidney have also been shown using spectroscopy. However, spectroscopy does not allow a regional analysis of the kidney. The purpose of this project is to develop methods for imaging the dynamic uptake of 129Xe in the human kidneys with a view to evaluating 129Xe as a viable non-invasive technique for imaging kidney perfusion without the use of injected contrast agents.

Enquiries:
Interested candidates should in the first instance contact Professor Jim Wild ([Email Address Removed])

How to Apply
Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form available here: http://www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply

Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Science as the department.