Abstract
“The future of molecular MR: A cellular and molecular imaging workshop” is an international meeting of
researchers, physicians, and engineers in academia and industry who are interested in applying MR imaging to
the study of disease at the molecular level. The overarching goal of the conference is to identify new
opportunities for molecular MRI, to delineate the key challenges facing the field and to identify strategies to
overcome these challenges. This meeting will encompass the use of various MR and hybrid imaging techniques
to interrogate molecular processes in biology and pathobiology both in pre-clinical and clinical applications. The
goals of the scientific sessions of this workshop are: 1) to identify how innovations in synthetic biology can be
applied to molecular MR; 2) to combine advanced imaging techniques with molecular imaging to yield richer
information; 3) to establish techniques for characterizing and quantifying aspects of the tissue microenviroment
and metabolism; 4) to identify new types of signal generating moieties and how these may be optimized; and 5)
to foster discussion and collaboration across these areas of research with established scientists in related
scientific and technical fields and to encourage young scientists from diverse backgrounds to develop research
careers in molecular MR imaging.
The structure of the workshop entails first allowing invited speakers who are leaders in the specific session to
introduce it by challenging the audience with their vision of the future. The sessions will be followed by oral and
poster presentations selected from submitted abstracts by the organizing committee. Session topics include: 1)
Nanomaterials, 2) Reporter genes, 3) Hyperpolarized MRI, 4) Responsive probes, 5) Imaging metabolism, 6)
Heteronuclear reporters. The program will also include a special lecture and a session formed from top abstracts
from young investigators. Poster sessions and networking events at the meeting will provide opportunities for
communication and collaboration among attendees of all levels of training. There will be registration discounts
for trainees, young investigators, and members of underrepresented groups as well as travel reimbursement
based on top abstracts. This conference will leverage the breadth of expertise of a truly international and
multidisciplinary group of researchers, who work in the area of molecular MR imaging and related fields, to
identify and explore new avenues to advance basic and translational research opportunities, and to establish
and foster communication, collaboration, and fellowship among the group.