Oregon State University researchers have developed a groundbreaking MRI contrast agent, offering a safer and more sustainable alternative to current market offerings. This innovative design, filed for patent, is a metal-organic framework (MOF) based on manganese, a metal abundant in the Earth’s crust. The MOF, named BVR-19, is a promising replacement for gadolinium-based agents, which have been in use for nearly 40 years but come with concerns regarding toxicity and environmental impact.
BVR-19 is the first manganese-based MOF to incorporate L-cystine, a naturally occurring, biocompatible amino acid. Its synthesis is conducted in water at room temperature, without the need for toxic solvents or harsh conditions. Tests have shown that BVR-19 allows for brighter, clearer images at lower doses than currently available agents, making it a more effective and safer option for patients.
The development of BVR-19 is a significant step forward in the field of MRI contrast agents, demonstrating how green chemistry and materials design can converge to create safer technologies. It bridges the gap between chemistry, toxicology, and medicine, showcasing the potential for collaboration across disciplines to transform fundamental discoveries into practical applications that directly improve human health.
The study, published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry B, was led by Kyriakos Stylianou of the OSU College of Science. Stylianou emphasized the shift from toxic metals to abundant, biocompatible ones without compromising performance. The team included doctoral student Jacob Lessard and undergraduate Dylan Pyle, along with other members of the MaD Lab, and collaborators from the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and Oregon Health & Science University.
The potential of BVR-19 extends beyond its immediate applications, as it could also have implications for environmental sustainability. Gadolinium, used in contrast agents, doesn’t metabolize in the body and can pass into wastewater systems, posing long-term ecotoxicological effects that are not fully understood. The development of BVR-19 offers a promising solution to these environmental concerns, as manganese is a more environmentally friendly option.
Despite the promise of BVR-19, there are still challenges to overcome. Gadolinium has been used in contrast agents for nearly 40 years, and its long-term effects are not fully understood. There is also a risk of gadolinium retention in the body, which can stay in tissues for months or years, even in patients with normal kidney function. However, the team is optimistic that BVR-19 can provide a safer and more effective alternative, and they invite further discussion and collaboration in the field.