The Contrast Agent Molecular Engineering Laboratory (CAMEL) develops chemical agents that change the contrast of biomedical images. These contrast agents are designed to respond to molecular biomarkers of biological processes and pathologies. This molecular imformation is used to predict response to therapy before the therapy is applied, monitor the delivery of therapy to targeted tissues, and evaluate the early-stage effects of the therapy. These diagnostic methods that affect the choice of therapy are designed to provide personalized medicine for each individual patient.

CAMEL primarily focuses on the development of contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In particular, CAMEL has developed a new type of MRI contrast agent that can detect enzymes and metabolites through PARAmagnetic Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (PARACEST). CAMEL has also developed CEST MRI methods that accurately measure tumor acidity, or pH levels. CAMEL has also developed methods that rapidly synthesize contrast agents that are attached to peptides, for use in MRI, PET, and SPECT imaing studies. CAMEL also has interests in developing optical imaging contrast agents, and agents that can be detected by multiple imaging modalities.

CAMEL is affiliated with the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Biomedical Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Arizona Cancer Center, the Advanced Research Institute for Biomedical Imaging (ARIBI), and the Institute for Collaborative BioResearch (BIO5) at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. These afiliations reflect the interdisciplinary resarch approach undertaken by CAMEL and the supportive environment for biomedical research at the University of Arizona. For these reasons, CAMEL has an ideal home in the desert!