Research summary

Jeff W. M. Bulte, Ph.D.

The Bulte lab combines basic research with clinical interventional radiology to develop methods for non-invasively following cells in high resolution in humans. Successful stem cell therapies in the future will require the ability to track cells and follow their fates once introduced into the patient. The Bulte lab has pioneered methods to label cells magnetically with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, making them visible by MR imaging; this technology is being tested in the clinic for dendritic cell cancer vaccines and using mesenchymal stem cells for treating multiple sclerosis. The team continues to develop MRI cell tracking techniques in animal models of dysmyelination, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, spinal cord injury, stroke, diabetes, and myocardial infarction. In addition, the team also is developing new reporter genes and immunoprotective semi-permeable microcapusles detectable by MRI, computed tomography, ultrasound, and bioluminescent imaging.

Additional information

Meet Dr. Bulte

Q and A: On tracking cells through their journey through the body

On labeling and tracking stem cells used for therapy:

Titles
Professor of Radiology 
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Director, Cellular Imaging Section, Institute for Cell Engineering

Graduate programs
Cellular and Molecular Medicine

Publications
View a list of publications on PubMed.

Contact information
Phone: 443-287-0996
Email: jwmbulte@mri.jhu.edu