Radiology Research

About our lab

Research focus

Our research focus is on applying imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to develop noninvasive methods for in vivo tracking of transplanted cells labeled with superparamagnetic contrast agents and/or transfected reporter genes.

To achieve this goal, a multidisciplinary approach has been in place that brought people together from various professional backgrounds in combining molecular and cellular biology, biophysics and radiology, as well as clinical medicine expertise. Techniques central to all ongoing projects in the laboratory involve isolation of hematopoietic progenitor cells from cord blood, in vitro cell labeling with various superparamagnetic agents or transfection with viral vectors and in vivo tracking by MRI and/or other imaging modalities. Establishing these techniques enabled development of various animal models such as brain tumor, breast cancer, melanoma, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, where labeled transplanted cells are used as tools for studying tumor pathology and related angiogenesis, or as therapeutic vehicles for delivery of virally transfected genes. In addition to in vivo studies, part of our laboratory’s research involves studying in vitro, iron labeling efficacy, and its possible effects on the physiology of various cell types.

Senior staff scientists

Hamid Soltanian-Zadeh, Ph.D.
hamids@rad.hfh.edu

Hassan Bagher-Ebadian, Ph.D.
hassanb@rad.hfh.edu

Department of Radiology

Phone: (313) 874-4472

Fax: (313) 874-4494

Email