The journal Frontiers in Science has published a paper on the applications of lanthanide ions, known as rare earths, for improving biomedical imaging and combined diagnostic and treatment approaches. The article highlights how these materials could enhance diagnostic accuracy and enable more personalized approaches through integrated design and AI-driven analysis.
The research involves Jorge Méndez Ramos, a professor of Applied Physics at the University of La Laguna (ULL), alongside a multinational team of researchers from Europe, America, and Asia. Key contributors include Professor Xiaogang Liu from the National University of Singapore, who coordinates the work, and others such as Daniel Jaque (Autonomous University of Madrid), Marco Bettinelli (University of Verona), Oscar Malta (Federal University of Pernambuco), Bruno Viana (PSL and CNRS-Chimie ParisTech), Ka-Leung Wong (Hong Kong Polytechnic University), and Luis Carlos (University of Aveiro).
The study analyzes recent advancements in lanthanide-based materials for optical imaging, X-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Lanthanide carriers could define the next generation of biomedical imaging and accelerate the emerging field of "theranostics," which links diagnostic imaging with treatment selection, delivery, or monitoring. The authors emphasize the potential of lanthanides to drive future breakthroughs in healthcare and biomedical research, aiming for more precise, adaptable, and clinically useful diagnostic and treatment tools.
Méndez Ramos noted in an interview for the journal that rare earths, known as the "vitamins of industry," are opening up unexplored applications in technological fields like biomedical imaging. "We see clear potential in multifunctional platforms combining imaging, targeted drug delivery, and theranostic capabilities, as well as in biomedical probes and AI-driven image analysis," he stated, adding that these innovations could lead to more accurate, personalized, and effective diagnostics and treatments.
