Yonathan Araya
MSc/Alumni
Yonathan Araya is a PhD student in the Department of Medical Biophysics, under the supervision of Dr. Timothy Scholl. He is currently investigating the uptake, and distribution of serum albumin in breast cancer tumours. The albumin-SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine)-glycoprotein 60 pathway has been shown as a marker for angiogenic blood vessels in breast cancer tumours. Using a novel magnetic resonance fast field-cycling imaging method, called delta relaxation-enhanced magnetic resonance (dreMR), and the targetable contrast agent Albavar, he proposes to evaluate albumin trafficking to improve the early detection capabilities of aggressive breast cancer phenotypes. dreMR imaging will improve current clinical limitations for protein based MR imaging.
dreMR imaging has ability to increase both specificity and sensitivity of many specific tissue or protein binding contrast agents. As a result, we expect to be sensitive to early stage metabolic changes associated with tumour angiogenesis and breast cancer development. Using non-invasive in vivo biomarkers, this method has the potential to assess and change the course of ongoing therapy for individuals.
