BiOmimetic fluorinated nanoProbes for multIscale Tumor detection by MRI and Advanced Raman techniques (OPTIMA)

The OPTIMA project is dedicated to developing biomimetic Fluorinated Nanoparticles (FNP) as bimodal imaging probes for the multiscale detection of solid tumors. These nanoparticles are designed with a fluorine-rich core, enabling detection through both 19F-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (19F-MRI) and Raman spectroscopy. This innovative approach allows the same FNP to be visualized at different scales—whole-body in vivo imaging through 19F-MRI at the (sub)millimeter level and high-resolution analysis via ex vivo Raman imaging and in situ Raman spectroscopy up to the micrometer scale. A central goal of the project is to enhance the sensitivity of FNP for tumor detection by synthesizing novel branched fluorinated molecules that contain a higher number of 19F atoms, thereby intensifying both MRI and Raman signals. Additionally, biomimetic strategies will be employed to create cell membrane-coated FNP, significantly extending their in vivo circulation time and improving their tumor-targeting efficiency. Simultaneously, deep Raman technologies will be optimized to improve the detection of FNP within tissue. Specifically, techniques such as micro-Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (micro-SORS) and Time-Domain Diffuse Raman Spectroscopy (TD-DRS) will be refined to ensure reliable nanoparticle detection in increasingly challenging conditions, ranging from whole excised organs or exposed tumors to in vivo transcutaneous imaging. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, a proof-of-concept study will be conducted using a subcutaneous murine model of breast cancer. The objective is to show that biomimetic FNP can successfully accumulate within tumors, allowing sequential noninvasive visualization through 19F-MRI and precise identification of tumor margins at a smaller scale using Raman techniques. With potential clinical applications in mind, the project also aims to highlight the usefulness of deep Raman technologies as a compact intraoperative tool to assist in surgical tumor resection. Beyond its primary focus on tumor imaging, the OPTIMA strategy has broader biomedical implications. This approach could be adapted for various applications, such as monitoring inflammation progression, tracking therapeutic cells, and studying cardiovascular disorders. Fluorinated materials represent a unique imaging target due to their dual bio-orthogonality—stemming from their chemical and biological inertness and the complete absence of endogenous organic fluorine. In addition to clinical translation, the project opens new avenues for developing fluorine-based Raman/MRI tags for multimodal labeling, supporting the study of biomolecule distribution and dynamics in cells and tissues. Ultimately, OPTIMA holds great promise for advancing biomedical imaging and fostering biotechnological innovations that could significantly impact life sciences and global public health.