Molecular Imaging
EU Project: Novel molecular diagnostic tools for the prevention and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
The overall aim of this EU Framework Programme 6 Integrated Project is to make use of genetic profiles of pancreatic cancer and precursor lesions to improve the outcome of pancreatic cancer patients by providing novel and highly efficient molecular diagnostic tools. One of the major prerequisites in order to achieve this ambitious aim is an integrated multidisciplinary research approach, which enables a strong interaction between technology, biology and medicine to translate genome data into practical, clinical applications.
EU funding for the consortium was started Aug 2006 for three years, bringing together 19 European partners from academia and industry with long-standing interest in pancreatic cancer biology, diagnosis and treatment. Since the express goal of this consortium is to generate molecular diagnostic tools that will be ready for clinical applications in the course of the project, inclusion of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME) with a particular interest in developing molecular diagnostic tools was a special priority from the beginning.
WP 6: Novel Molecular Imaging tools based on single proteins identified in high-throughput approaches 
(coordinated by S. Hahn)
Novel Molecular Imaging tools based on proteins identified in high-throughput approaches. The aim of this WP is to develop and evaluate molecular imaging techniques in animal models for the early diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and its precursor lesions (PanINs).
We will develop peptide/small molecule type or enzyme activatable probes for in vivo imaging reagents by high throughput screening of small molecule and peptide libraries. Furthermore, we will produce the selected imaging compounds through synthesis of appropriate precursor molecules for radio-/fluorochrome labeling or automated peptide synthesis with the required modifications necessary for radio-/fluorochrome labeling. After successful in vitro evaluation, labelling of ligands and peptides will be performed. All produced compounds will be evaluated by in vivo imaging in a small animal PET or FMT scanner.
Involved partners
- Bayer Schering Pharma AG
- Prof. Dr. Christoph Bremer, University Münster
- Prof. Dr. Stephan Hahn, University Bochum
- Prof. Dr. Jörg Hoheisel, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg
- Prof. Dr. Günter Klöppel, University Kiel
- Prof. Dr. Jörg Rademann, Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Berlin
- Prof. Dr. Sven Reske, University Ulm
- Dr. Jens Peter von Kries, Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Berlin