Translational Neuroimaging Lab
Transforming Care for Kids With Brain Disorders
The Nemours Children’s Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory in Delaware Valley develops medical imaging agents to improve neurologic disease diagnosis and treatment for children.
We focus on creating positron emission tomography (PET) radioactive probes, or radiotracers, that noninvasively identify molecular processes in real time. These imaging agents reveal functional changes in organs and tissues by tracking biomarkers, blood flow, oxygen use, and energy metabolism.
We specialize in designing, synthesizing, and characterizing PET radiotracers, evaluating them in animal models and translating promising agents into clinical investigations for neurological disorders and other diseases. We integrate PET with structural imaging methods like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). This combined approach aids in disease diagnosis, disease staging, and classification, and treatment planning and assessment.
Through our research and translation to clinical practice, we restore and improve children’s health, providing innovative programs not available everywhere.
Principal Investigator
Xuyi (Kevin) Yue, PhD
Research Scientist/Lab Head, Department of Radiology
Research Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University
Notable Projects
Developing & Evaluating Radiotracers for PET Imaging ACE2
Researchers are developing and validating PET imaging probes that can be used to in vivo detect the whole-body expression and distribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is the entry receptor of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 and is a key player in cardiovascular and renal diseases, diabetes, pregnancy, and lung diseases.
Imaging Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Using Flourine-18 Tryptophan Tracer
Our major goals of this study are to use a fluorine-18 labeled tryptophan radiotracer to detect and differentiate neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) in an animal model and validate the biomarkers that contribute to the malignant outcomes.
Developing PET Imaging Probes for the Glymphatic-Lymphatic System
The adult brain represents about 2% of the body weight but accounts for approximately 20% of energy consumption by the body. Waste clearance is an essential process for brain homeostasis. However, the exact mechanism for removing waste products from the brain is unclear.
The recent discoveries of the glymphatic system and meningeal lymphatic vessels (mLVs), or the glymphatic-lymphatic system, have received significant attention given that this system plays an important role in removing metabolic waste, controlling inflammation, and ensuring immune surveillance in central nervous system (CNS) tissues.
We aim to develop imaging probes to study the brain glymphatic-lymphatic system implicated in brain disorders, including multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and dementia.
Investigating PET/MRI With 1-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-L-Tryptophan
We will use 1-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-L-tryptophan PET/MRI to investigate metabolic and functional alterations in epilepsy, neuro-oncology, neuropsychiatric illnesses, and other neurological diseases. This tryptophan radiotracer enables quantitative molecular profiling and structural imaging of disorders affecting both pediatric and adult brains.
The imaging agent has been approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical investigation under the exploratory investigational new drug (eIND) application. Our long-term goal is to translate tryptophan PET biomarkers into clinical practice to guide diagnosis, staging, and therapy decisions.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR RESEARCH
- Focus Areas
- Outcomes & Impact
- Grants & Awards
- Partnerships
Our Areas of Focus
Develop Imaging Biomarkers for Pediatric Brain Disorders
We work closely with clinicians to identify key challenges in caring for children with brain disorders. With this information, we design and develop new imaging probes for more precise disease diagnosis, progression monitoring, and treatment planning. Our priority areas include autoimmune disorders, glymphatic-lymphatic system dysfunction, neuro-oncology, and epilepsy.
Translate Imaging Agents Into Clinical Applications
We focus on advancing new, promising PET probes and translating known imaging agents from preclinical development into first-in-human trials. Our lab provides a supportive environment for translating imaging agents, including in-house Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for manufacturing radiopharmaceuticals suitable for human study.
We collaborate with investigators and clinicians to discuss research goals, develop effective protocols, and prepare regulatory submissions.
Publications
Nemours researchers constantly contribute to advancing scientific understanding. We share our knowledge, insights and discoveries to encourage collaboration and inspire further research.
Research in Context
Our labs contribute to research that informs pediatric care, working in alignment with research centers and focused areas of scientific study at Nemours.
Nemours Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
CLINICAL CARE
Comprehensive care for children delivered by multidisciplinary teams across Nemours Children’s hospitals and locations in Delaware Valley and Florida.
Neuroscience Center, Delaware Valley
CLINICAL CARE
Pediatric neurology, epilepsy care, and neurodevelopmental services at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware and throughout Greater Philadelphia.
Neuroscience Research
RESEARCH AREA
We investigate brain development and neurological disorders to advance pediatric neuroscience through collaboration and translational science.
Radiology (Medical Imaging)
CLINICAL CARE
Pediatric imaging services using low-dose, child-friendly technologies offered at Nemours Children’s hospitals and specialty locations across regions we serve.
Radiology Research
RESEARCH AREA
Our researchers advance pediatric imaging by developing safer, clearer techniques that improve diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of childhood conditions.