Volume 9, Issue 2 | Spring 2024

Science Feature

Magnetic Resonance Coherence Pathway Unraveling

By Nikolai J. Mickevicius, PhD

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams, several sets of images are acquired, each exploiting a different contrast mechanism of the magnetization in each tissue (e.g., T1 relaxation, T2 relaxation, or diffusion). It can take a long time to collect the multi-contrast data necessary to produce these images, leading to patient discomfort and poor clinical throughput.

The signal expressed in each pixel of an MR image is typically a sum of spin echoes originating from different coherence pathways (i.e., primary echoes versus stimulated echoes). This study introduces a modulation of coherence pathway phases as a function of k-space location through the use of radiofrequency pulse phase. For data collection periods where spin echoes form at the same time, the proposed phase modulation results in an inter-coherence pathway field of view shift. This allows for the use of specialized image reconstruction methods to separate the otherwise aliased images of each individual echo. Through experiments in phantoms and in vivo, it was demonstrated that this approach was able to produce spin echo images with unique T1 and T2 weighting from the same scan. The multi-contrast nature of this approach warrants further investigation with more efficient k-space trajectories in the context of efficient quantitative parameter mapping.

Figure caption: This work leverages differences in radio frequency (RF) phase between spin echo pathways to reconstruct separate images from each pathway that would otherwise be superimposed. This was demonstrated as a proof of concept in a four-RF pulse sequence using single line per shot Cartesian and radial k-space coverage, and future work will investigate incorporation of these methods in faster techniques such as echo planar imaging, spiral, or fast spin echo.

Learn more in my article, "Magnetic resonance coherence pathway unraveling," published in Journal of Magnetic Resonance.

Biophysics Presents

Inaugural James S. Hyde, PhD, Memorial Lecture

Peter Bandettini, PhD

Please join us for the first annual James S. Hyde, PhD, Memorial Lecture, which will honor the remarkable legacy of Dr. Hyde, a pioneer in functional magnetic resonance imaging, a leading authority on brain connectivity, and a world-renowned expert in electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy instrumentation.

The memorial lecture will be held on Mon., May 20, from 10–11:30 a.m. in the MCW Alumni Center. Guest lecturer Peter Bandettini, PhD, director of the fMRI Core Facility at the National Institute of Mental Health, will present his talk, titled "Our Three Decade Pursuit of the Information in the fMRI Signal."

Introductions will be given by John Raymond, MD, MCW president and CEO, and professor of medicine; Joseph Kerschner, MD, MCW provost and executive vice president, and The Julia A. Uihlein, MA, Dean of the School of Medicine; Francesca Marassi, PhD, professor & chair of biophysics and eminent scholar; and Candice Klug, PhD, James S. Hyde Professor of Biophysics and director of the National Biomedical EPR Center.

Graduate Student Q&A

Learn about the students in our Biophysics Graduate Program.

Alyssa Kraft

Program: Biophysics
Mentor: Francesca Marassi, PhD
Year Entered MCW: 2023

Background: I recently graduated from Marquette University with a BS in physics. During my tenure at MU, I worked for a variety of labs that covered fields from particle physics to biophysics. It was my time in the biophysics labs where I developed my passion for research. I knew that I wanted to use the experiences that I had to pursue a career in biophysical research that advances our understanding of diseases that afflict humankind.

Research Interests: I am interested in using various biophysical techniques, such as solid-state NMR spectroscopy, to characterize membrane proteins in the gram-negative bacterium Yersinia pestis. Currently, I am investigating Y. pestis plasminogen activator (Pla), an outer membrane protease, to elucidate the structural and conformational changes that occur when interacting with its substrates.

Future Plans: For the immediate future, I plan to continue to learn from my mentors and peers how to be a better scientist in and out of lab. I have no definitive plans for the distant future.

Fun Fact: One of my favorite things to do in Milwaukee is to go to restaurants that I’ve never been to before. I think Milwaukee has wonderful and diverse cuisines!

Biophysics Alumni: Where Are They Now?

Samuel Bobholz, PhD

Title: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Radiology
Year Graduated MCW: 2022
Mentor: Peter S. LaViolette, PhD

Ethan J. Duwell, PhD

Title: Postdoctoral Fellow, Greenberg Lab, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
Year Graduated MCW: 2021
Mentor: Edgar A. DeYoe, PhD

William Gross, MD, PhD

Title: Assistant Professor, Departments of Anesthesiology, Neurology, Biophysics, & Biomedical Engineering; Director, Medical Student Anesthesiology Clerkship
Year Graduated MCW: 2010
Mentor: Jeffrey R. Binder, MD

Douglas Prah, PhD

Title: Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology
Year Graduated MCW: 2008
Mentor: Kathleen M. Schmainda, PhD

Ya Zhuo, PhD

Title: Research Scientist I, Department of Biochemistry
Year Graduated MCW: 2014
Mentor: Candice S. Klug, PhD

Department News

Welcome

Cassie Zehr (Graduate Student, Lerch Lab)

Congratulations

Nicholas Cina & Candice Klug published an article in Protein Science.
Savannah Duenweg, Aleksandra Winiarz, & Biprojit Nath published an article in Neurosurgery.
Jimmy Feix was awarded a $429,000 R21, titled "Modifying the Microbiome to Enhance L-dopa Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease," from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Jimmy Feix published an article in Applied Magnetic Resonance as
part of a special issue dedicated to Wayne Hubbell on the occasion of his 80th
birthday.
Neil Hogg published an article in Free Radical Biology and Medicine.
Balaraman Kalyanaraman published an article in Frontiers in Neuroscience.
Balaraman Kalyanaraman & Gang Cheng published an article in Redox Biology.
Balaraman Kalyanaraman & Jacek Zielonka were awarded US Patent 11,897,910, “Enhancement of antitumor effects of honokiol by selective modification of its chemical structure.”
Candice Klug was awarded a $471,670 S10 to fund a new ELEXSYS-II E500 X-Band continuous-wave EPR spectrometer system.
Nikolai Mickevicius was elected to the MCW Faculty Information Technology Committee.
Melissa Prah & Kathleen Schmainda published an article in Frontiers in Radiology.
Kathleen Schmainda & Robert Wujek were awarded US Patent 11,823,800, "Medical image segmentation using deep learning models trained with random dropout and/or standardized inputs."
Aleksandra Winiarz & Savannah Duenweg published an article in Journal of Neuro-Oncology.
Jacek Zielonka published an article in Redox Biology.
Jacek Zielonka was awarded a five-year, $3.25 million multi-PI R01 grant with Ming You (Houston Methodist Research Institute), titled "Targeting phenethyl isothiocyanate to mitochondria in lung carcinogenesis," from the National Cancer Institute.

Jacek Zielonka and lab member Jennifer Gavina celebrate Jacek's R01.

Jimmy Feix celebrates his R21.

Candice Klug celebrates her S10.

Research Day 2024

These Biophysics faculty, staff, postdocs, and student scientists participated in the Office of Research's Research Day 2024 poster sessions:

Bryna Goeckner - "Psychological symptoms associated with concussion and hormonal contraceptive use in female athletes"
Alyssa Kraft - "Characterizing Yersinia pestis plasminogen activator through biophysical techniques"
Rajlaxmi Panigrahi - "Mechanistic insight in the interaction of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 with vitronectin"
Kyungsoo Shin - "In pursuit of vitronectin structure to uncover its role in ectopic calcification of age-related diseases"
Steven Traeger - "Tetrahydrobiopterin as a determining factor of cell viability and resistance to oxidant stress"
Nicholas Wood - "Biophysical assessment of PagC reveals conformational dynamics that facilitate outer membrane vesicle biogenesis in salmonella"
James Woodcock - "Therapeutic implications of alternative SPR mimetics efficiency in BH4-synthesis and pain management"

CONGRATULATIONS to Kyungsoo, who had the top-scoring faculty poster!

Outstanding Educators

Neil Hogg, Michael Lerch, and Jason Sidabras received the School of Graduate Studies Outstanding Educator Recognition Pins for 2022–2023. Congratulations!

Raman Honored at Symposium on Biophysics for Biology and Medicine in France

Balaraman Kalyanaraman received the Aix-Marseille University (AMU) Doctor Honoris Causa title on April 9, 2024, in Marseille, France. To celebrate this occasion, a Symposium on Biophysics for Biology and Medicine was organized by Micael Hardy, Olivier Ouari, and Hakim Karoui of AMU.

Hakim and Micael of AMU did their postdoctoral work under Raman's mentorship in our department. Currently, Dr. Hardy is a visiting professor of biophysics at MCW. Their collaboration has resulted in numerous publications, grants, and patents shared by both MCW and AMU.

This honorary degree is a testament to the continued success and excellence in collaborative research between AMU and MCW. This symposium emphasized the synergistic importance of collaborative science in basic and clinical research. It provided the opportunity for scientists to share ideas and research expertise in drug discovery; biomedical and structural biology applications of advanced EPR/NMR spectroscopy and imaging; redox biology; and development and use of new spin traps, spin probes, and fluorescent probes for EPR and dynamic nuclear polarization, detection of reactive nitrogen species, oximetry, mitochondrial bioenergetics, the microbiome and Parkinson’s disease, and photobiology.

Symposium speakers from Biophysics included Gang Cheng, Neil Hogg, Francesca Marassi, Jeannette Vasquez Vivar, and Jacek Zielonka. Support from both MCW and AMU is gratefully acknowledged.

Raman (center) with Eric Berton, president of AMU (left), and Micael (right).

Symposium group photo.

Holi Celebration

Holi, known as the “festival of colors,” marks the beginning of spring and is celebrated predominantly in India and Nepal. Holi is a celebration of the eternal love of deities Krishna and Radha. Also, it signifies the triumph of good over evil.

On the main day of Holi, people throw and smear brightly colored powder on one another—especially on family members and friends—and douse each other with tinted water. Holi brings with it an abundance of celebrations, joy, and sweets indulgences like gujiya, malpua, ras malai, jalebi, and thandai.

MCW held a Holi celebration on May 29, and some of our personnel participated (photos below).

MCW Holi celebration group photo.

Rajlaxmi Panigrahi (left) & Akansha Sharma (right)

Photo of a Translational Collaboration

A photograph taken by Michael Kron, a professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, was selected as a finalist in the Tropical Disease Research 50th anniversary photo contest. The photo, titled "Control mito," features filarial parasites with some of the mitochondria-targeted compounds produced in the lab of Balaraman Kalyanaraman.

Featured Pet

Pet Names: Mac (left) & Cheese (right)
About: 6-7 year-old leopard geckos
Guardian: Nick Wood

Biophysics News is a quarterly MCW departmental newsletter aimed at enhancing departmental engagement through information and good news sharing. Do you have information you’d like to share—news, events, photos, a photo of your pet? Send it to Lydia.

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