2023-11-13 09:11:36
Winner of European funding, Clément Papadacci, physicist and Inserm researcher, is developing an ultra-fast ultrasound probe which will allow the microvessels of entire organs to be observed in three dimensions. Its first applications will be dedicated to the study of neurological and cardiac diseases, which until now have been difficult to explore precisely.
Clément Papadacci, institute Physics for medicine (unit 1273 Inserm/CNRS/ESPCI/Paris-PSL)
Clément Papadacci has just designed a new type of ultrasound probe: thanks to its high technicality and its dimensions – 10 cm by 10 cm – it makes it possible to obtain a large image, sensitivity and resolution incommensurate with those offered by conventional ultrasound or other imaging methods. Carried out following injection of a contrast product made up of stable and biocompatible microbubbles, this three-dimensional imaging should offer the means of visualizing the finest vessels (with a diameter of approximately 0.1 mm) at the organ scale. whole like the heart or the brain. To bring its development to fruition, the researcher obtained funding from the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant) in 2022.
Observe the unexplored
Clément Papadacci is already anticipating the first clinical and preclinical applications that will be made. For the moment, two diseases are in the viewfinder. “ Glioblastoma, a rare brain tumor, needs to be nourished by blood microvessels to grow. We believe that ultrafast ultrasound imaging might help identify these vessels and, thus, early predict recurrences that occur following surgery. » On the other hand, in the field of cardiology, the researcher wishes to look into microvascular dysfunction of the coronaries: this damage to the small blood vessels of the heart which can cause chest pain similar to angina pectoris is not observable by current imaging methods: “ By providing clinicians with a first means of studying it precisely, we might help the development of dedicated treatments. »
More broadly, the probe developed by Clément Papadacci and his team might constitute a technological turning point in the field of imaging. « This technology can be expected to attract widespread interest in the field of ultrasound. European funding allows us to position ourselves as pioneers in a context of strong international competition. We will have to maintain this lead! » Today, the researcher is working on the actual construction of this probe, as well as on optimizing the algorithms for acquiring and using the data it collects. “ It is a unique opportunity to have obtained such funding, and only in Europe do we give so many resources to a project like MicroflowLifeborn from concepts of fundamental physics, wave physics and optics. »
At the interface of physics and medicine
A collection of disciplines familiar to this physicist, Inserm research fellow at the Physics for Medicine institute within the Higher School of Industrial Physics and Chemistry of the city of Paris. Steeped in the scientific history of this establishment, it is in this “cradle of ultrafast imaging” that he started his scientific career, from his doctorate. “ It is an environment with strong dynamism and a real vision, at the interface of physics research and its medical applications. The laboratory’s researchers carry out many joint projects: there is a real team culture, which is very stimulating. But this is one of the key elements for doing good research. »
If his road seems paved with success, “ there is never anything acquired”, warns Clément Papadacci. The difficulty is inherent to the profession: “ We go through an emotional roller coaster all the time, especially when our results aren’t what we expected. But each difficulty is an opportunity to review our theories and progress. ” A job ” sometimes uncomfortable » so, but « always creative », which he chose following having simultaneously followed two licenses, one in physics, the other in cinema! “ From my first internships in the laboratory, I understood that research would provide me with the means to combine the rigor and complexity of the fundamental discipline with the creativity that I was looking for. » And MicroflowLife might well constitute one of the future milestones in medical imaging.
Clément Papadacci is a researcher at the institute Physics for medicine (unit 1273 Inserm/CNRS/ESPCI/Paris-PSL), in Paris.
Author: C.G.
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