Swiss scientists develop near infrared nanopigment for high resolution brain imaging

Scientists in Switzerland have developed a near infrared nanopigment designed for high resolution imaging of complex brain structures, News-Medical reported. The new material operates in the near infrared range and could serve as a contrast agent for medical research. The authors suggest the material could potentially track individual immune cells inside tissues. [1]

The research was led by Robert Nissler and Inge Herrmann from the Nanomaterials in Health laboratory at the Empa research center in St. Gallen. Additional collaborators on the project included ETH Zurich, Balgrist University Hospital, and the University of Zurich. The researchers based their work on the physical properties of Egyptian blue, which is a copper containing material recognized as one of the earliest synthetic pigments. [1]

The development takes place in Switzerland, a landlocked country in Europe bordered by Germany, France, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Italy. As FTMQ Health reported earlier, brain imaging technology such as magnetic resonance imaging scans has previously been utilized to study structural brain changes linked to middle aged adult dietary habits. [2][5]