Microscale magnetic resonance detectors: a technology roadmap for in vivo metabolomics

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development of microscale magnetic resonance detectors to enhance in vivo metabolomics, aiming to improve sensitivity and resolution for real-time cellular measurements.

Contribution

It provides a technology roadmap outlining necessary advancements in magnetic resonance microscopy for biological applications.

Findings

Identifies key technological challenges in magnetic resonance sensitivity and resolution.

Proposes a strategic plan for developing microscale MR detectors for cellular studies.

Highlights potential impact on real-time, non-invasive cell biology research.

Abstract

One of the great challenges in biology is to observe, at sufficient detail, the real-time workings of the cell. Many methods exist to do cell measurements invasively. For example, mass spectrometry has tremendous mass sensitivity but destroys the cell. Molecular tagging can reveal exquisite detail using STED microscopy, but is currently neither relevant for a large number of different molecules, nor is it applicable to very small molecules. For marker free non-invasive measurements, only magnetic resonance has sufficient molecular specificity, but the technique suffers from low sensitivity and resolution. In this presentation we will consider the roadmap for achieving in vivo metabolomic measurements with more sensitivity and resolution. The roadmap will point towards the technological advances that are necessary for magnetic resonance microscopy to answer questions relevant to cell biology.