Order-Unity 13C Nuclear Polarization of [1-13C]Pyruvate in Seconds

Abstract

This presentation covers the recent advances in spin physics and instrumentation of Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange (SABRE) in SHield Enables Alignment Transfer to Heteronuclei (SHEATH). Order unity 13C polarization for [1-13C]pyruvate was demonstrated for catalyst-bound species by SABRE-SHEATH, which becomes possible due to favorable 13C relaxation dynamics in a microtesla magnetic field. The magnetic field, temperature and co-solvents heavily modulate the attainable 13C polarization, providing an opportunity for optimization to deliver highly polarized [1-13C]pyruvate quickly and cheaply for biomedical applications. The design of clinical-scale hyperpolarizer is described for production of [1-13C]pyruvate and other metabolically relevant hyperpolarized contrast agents.