Abstract: A method to detect transient binding of a substrate molecule of interest in solution to a molecular target includes selecting the substrate molecule of interest and the molecular target such that the substrate molecule of interest can transiently bind to the molecular target; placing one of a sample or a subject of interest in a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus, the sample or the subject of interest containing the substrate molecule of interest so as to be in contact with the molecular target; providing magnetic labelling of non-exchangeable or slowly exchangeable MR sensitive nuclei of the substrate molecule of interest; receiving an MR signal from the MR sensitive nuclei of the solvent molecules using the MR apparatus; and analyzing the MR signal to obtain a quantity associated with the transient binding of the substrate molecule of interest to the molecular target.

Abstract: A method to detect transient binding of a substrate molecule of interest in solution to a molecular target includes selecting the substrate molecule of interest and the molecular target such that the substrate molecule of interest can transiently bind to the molecular target; placing one of a sample or a subject of interest in a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus, the sample or the subject of interest containing the substrate molecule of interest so as to be in contact with the molecular target; providing magnetic labelling of non-exchangeable or slowly exchangeable MR sensitive nuclei of the substrate molecule of interest; receiving an MR signal from the MR sensitive nuclei of the solvent molecules using the MR apparatus; and analyzing the MR signal to obtain a quantity associated with the transient binding of the substrate molecule of interest to the molecular target.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a new MRI method to image the buildup of exchange transfer processes from nuclei in mobile solute molecules in tissue via another molecule (e.g. solvent such as water). The pulse sequence can detect Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST), relayed Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement (rNOE) CEST, and selective induced exchange transfer processes. Further, the proposed MRI pulse sequence involves acquiring two or more images with a difference in waiting period (delay) after a radiofrequency excitation, saturation pulse, or series of such pulses. This produces a series of exchange transfer images sensitive to the speed of transfer of changes in magnetization. Subtracting two images or fitting a time series produces maps with minimum interference from direct water saturation and from semi-solid magnetization transfer and other fast exchanging protons.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a new MRI method to image the buildup of exchange transfer processes from nuclei in mobile solute molecules in tissue via another molecule (e.g. solvent such as water). The pulse sequence can detect Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST), relayed Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement (rNOE) CEST, and selective induced exchange transfer processes. Further, the proposed MRI pulse sequence involves acquiring two or more images with a difference in waiting period (delay) after a radiofrequency excitation, saturation pulse, or series of such pulses. This produces a series of exchange transfer images sensitive to the speed of transfer of changes in magnetization. Subtracting two images or fitting a time series produces maps with minimum interference from direct water saturation and from semi-solid magnetization transfer and other fast exchanging protons.