Dynamic Nuclear Polarization of Silicon for Targeted Molecular Imaging

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dc.contributor.advisorKemere, Caleben_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberBhattacharya, Pratip K.en_US
dc.creatorMcCowan, Caitlinen_US
dc.date.accessioned2019-05-17T18:48:29Zen_US
dc.date.available2020-05-01T05:01:09Zen_US
dc.date.created2019-05en_US
dc.date.issued2019-04-17en_US
dc.date.submittedMay 2019en_US
dc.date.updated2019-05-17T18:48:29Zen_US
dc.description.abstractColorectal cancer is the second highest cause of cancer-related deaths and is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in America. Although there are currently available screening methods such as colonoscopy, many patients remain undiagnosed until the disease has spread and thus likely advanced beyond hope of curative treatment. Also, colonoscopy carries the risk of intestinal perforation and is less apt to identify small or flat lesions. Patients diagnosed after metastasis make up 21% of all colorectal cancer cases, with a 5-year survival rate of only 13.5%. This presents an opportunity to improve screening methods with higher accuracy and safer implementation, namely through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of hyperpolarized silicon particles functionalized to specifically target colorectal cancer. MRI is a commonly used imaging modality that does not require ionizing radiation. Nevertheless, sensitivity and specificity are considered to be the major drawbacks regarding MRI. One method to improve the sensitivity is through hyperpolarization, a technique used to increase signal measured with MRI by at least 10,000-fold. Silicon is a promising candidate for in vivo medical applications due to its biocompatibility. Additionally, silicon is compatible with hyperpolarization due to its MR active isotope 29Si making up 4.7% of naturally occurring silicon. I have investigated the ability to functionalize silicon particles for targeted molecular imaging of colorectal cancer in vivo through hyperpolarized MRI. Furthermore, I have explored the feasibility of utilizing hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels to improve particle targeting ability.en_US
dc.embargo.terms2020-05-01en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.citationMcCowan, Caitlin. "Dynamic Nuclear Polarization of Silicon for Targeted Molecular Imaging." (2019) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/105953">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/105953</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/105953en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectColorectal Canceren_US
dc.subjectMRIen_US
dc.subjectMolecular Imagingen_US
dc.subjectSilicon Nanoparticlesen_US
dc.subjectHyperpolarizationen_US
dc.titleDynamic Nuclear Polarization of Silicon for Targeted Molecular Imagingen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentElectrical and Computer Engineeringen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineeringen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelMastersen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen_US
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