Short CV
Silvio Aime graduated from the University of Turin in 1971. After a stint at the University of East Anglia, he returned to Turin in 1974 where he spent his entire career. He is currently Professor of General and Inorganic Chemistry (Faculty of Sciences, degree course in Biotechnologies), and the head of the NMR laboratory of the Department of Chemistry, and the Center for Molecular Imaging at the University of Torino. Professor Aime’s main research is focused on developing diagnostic agents containing lanthanides or hyperpolarized molecules for applications of magnetic resonance imaging with a particular interest in molecular imaging procedures.
Selected Awards
- 2011, Honorary Doctorate from the Technology University Eindhoven
- 2010, Doctor honoris causa from the University of Debrecen
- 2010, Award from the European Soc. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology
- 2004, European Magnetic Resonance Foundation Award
- 2000, Sapio Prize
- 1996, Medal from the Italian NMR Discussion Group
- 1987, Nasini Medal from the Italian Chemical Society
Research Interests
Prof. Silvio Aime is the head of the Molecular Imaging Center of the University of Torino. His primary research is focused on the development of new categories of contrast agents for molecular imaging applications.
The main lines of research activities are the following:
- Synthesis and MRI assessment of high-relaxivity Gd-based chelates (including multimeric derivatives and nano-sized assemblies)
- Synthesis and MRI assessment of novel agents based on chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST)
- Development of MRI-13C-hyperpolarised molecules via the formation of para-hydrogenated substrates
- Imaging reporters responsive to specific physicochemical and biological parameters of the cellular microenvironment (pH, temperature, metabolites' concentration, enzymatic activity)
- Cellular labelling (stem cells, leukocytes, tumour cells, etc.) by the internalisation of paramagnetic metal chelates
- Tumor “targeting” (AA, LDL, Anionic and cationic transporters, Adhesion molecules, Hyperexpressed receptors, fibrin…)
- Targeting thrombi and plaques with suitably functionalised nanocarriers bearing different types of imaging reporters
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Assessment of changes in Vascular Permeability in neo-formed vessels
Selected Publications
- Digilio, Giuseppe; Menchise, Valeria; Gianolio, Eliana; Catanzaro, Valeria; Carrera, Carla; Napolitano, Roberta; Fedeli, Franco; Aime, Silvio: Exofacial Protein Thiols as a Route for the Internalization of Gd(III)-Based Complexes for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Cell Labeling. J. Med. Chem. 53 (13), 2010, 4877-4890.
- Tei, Lorenzo; Mazooz, Galit; Shellef, Yael; Avni, Reut; Vandoorne, Katrien; Barge, Alessandro; Kalchenko, Vyacheslav; Dewhirst, Mark W.; Chaabane, Linda; Miragoli, Luigi; Longo, Dario; Neeman, Michal; Aime, Silvio: Novel MRI and fluorescent probes responsive to the Factor XIII transglutaminase activity. Contrast Media & Molecular Imaging 5 (4), 2010, 213-222.
- Delli Castelli, Daniela; Dastrù, Walter; Terreno, Enzo; Cittadino, Evelina; Mainini, Francesco; Torres, Elena; Spadaro, Michela; Aime, Silvio: In vivo MRI multicontrast kinetic analysis of the uptake and intracellular trafficking of paramagnetically labeled liposomes. Journal of Controlled Release 144 (3), 2010, 271-279.
- Tei, Lorenzo; Barge, Alessandro; Geninatti Crich, Simonetta; Pagliarin, Roberto; Negri, Viviana; Ramella, Daniela; Cravotto, Giancarlo; Aime, Silvio: Target Visualization by MRI Using the Avidin/Biotin Amplification Route: Synthesis and Testing of a Biotin-Gd-DOTA Monoamide Trimer. Chemistry - A European Journal 16 (27), 2010, 8080-8087.
- Terreno, Enzo; Castelli, Daniela Delli; Viale, Alessandra; Aime, Silvio: Challenges for Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Chemical Reviews 110 (5), 2010, 3019-3042.
- Grange, C.; Geninatti-Crich, S.; Esposito, G.; Alberti, D.; Tei, L.; Bussolati, B.; Aime, S.; Camussi, G.: Combined Delivery and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule-Targeted Doxorubicin-Containing Liposomes in Experimentally Induced Kaposi's Sarcoma. Cancer Research 70 (6), 2010, 2180-2190.
- Viale, Alessandra; Aime, Silvio: Current concepts on hyperpolarized molecules in MRI. Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 14 (1), 2010, 90-96.
- Kálmán, Ferenc Krisztián; Geninatti-Crich, Simonetta; Aime, Silvio: Reduction/Dissolution of a β-MnOOH Nanophase in the Ferritin Cavity To Yield a Highly Sensitive, Biologically Compatible Magnetic Resonance Imaging Agent. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 49 (3), 2009, 612-615.
- Aime, Silvio; Castelli, Daniela Delli; Crich, Simonetta Geninatti; Gianolio, Eliana; Terreno, Enzo: Pushing the Sensitivity Envelope of Lanthanide-Based Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Contrast Agents for Molecular Imaging Applications. Accounts of Chemical Research 42 (7), 2009, 822-831.
- Stefania, Rachele; Tei, Lorenzo; Barge, Alessandro; Geninatti Crich, Simonetta; Szabo, Ibolya; Cabella, Claudia; Cravotto, Giancarlo; Aime, Silvio: Tuning Glutamine Binding Modes in Gd-DOTA-Based Probes for an Improved MRI Visualization of Tumor Cells. Chemistry - A European Journal 15 (1), 2009, 76-85.
Publications as TUM-IAS-Fellow