Related projects
Discover more projects across a range of sectors and discipline — from AI to cleantech to social innovation.
Bones undergo a renewal process by replenishing calcium mineral through a cellular process known as remodeling. Usually, it happens in a balanced manner, but in many bone diseases, the remodeling process is increased with regional bone metabolism. Bisphosphonate (BP) drugs selectivity and strongly bind to bone mineral and become incorporated at active sites of bone turnover in an increased amount. Accordingly, we have exploited that increased bone metabolism to develop novel bone imaging tracers of metabolism based on BP-conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (BP-SPIONs), which localize to remodeling bone surfaces for detection by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The current project aims to establish and characterize a stable formulation of the proprietary OsteoMetabolix Pharma BP-SPION, with subsequent toxicity testing in-vitro in cell culture, and in-vivo in rodents (rats), to ascertain minimum effective dose and expected adverse effects of BP-SPIONs as a potential non-ionizing alternative to the technetium radionuclide bone scan.
Raimar Loebenberg
Muhammad Waheed Asghar
Osteometabolix Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Pharmacy / Pharmacology
Pharmaceuticals
University of Alberta
Elevate
Discover more projects across a range of sectors and discipline — from AI to cleantech to social innovation.
Find the perfect opportunity to put your academic skills and knowledge into practice!
Find ProjectsThe strong support from governments across Canada, international partners, universities, colleges, companies, and community organizations has enabled Mitacs to focus on the core idea that talent and partnerships power innovation — and innovation creates a better future.