Dr. Gale applies chemistry to solve unmet challenges in radiology and biomedical imaging.
A major area of current focus is developing magnetic resonance imaging probes to non-invasively map and quantify pathologic change at the molecular level. His group is capitalizing on the transition metal properties of manganese and iron to rationally design molecules that change paramagnetic properties, and thus modulate MRI signal, in response to biochemical stimuli. Dr. Gale and his collaborators are applying his probes to interrogate the roles of oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of disease states affecting abdominal organs. His team is currently developing new chemistry that will enable non-invasive quantification of aberrant metal ion flux and enzyme activity associated with inflammation and cancer.
Dr. Gale’s research has also demonstrated how rationally designed complexes of manganese can offer a viable and directly interchangeable alternative to gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents, which are indispensable to modern radiology but have come under increased regulatory scrutiny over concerns of gadolinium retention and delayed toxicity.
Education
PhD in Chemistry, University of Georgia
Select Publications
1. Wang H, Jordan VC, Ramsay IA, Sojoodi M, Fuchs BC, Tanabe KK, Caravan P, Gale EM. Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using a Redox-Active Iron Complex. J Am Chem Soc. 2019 Apr 10;141(14):5916-5925.
2. Wang J, Wang H, Ramsay IA, Erstad DJ, Fuchs BC, Tanabe KK, Caravan P, Gale EM. Manganese-Based Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Liver Tumors: Structure-Activity Relationships and Lead Candidate Evaluation. J Med Chem. 2018 Oct 11;61(19):8811-8824.
3. Gale EM, Atanasova IP, Blasi F, Ay I, Caravan P. A Manganese Alternative to Gadolinium for MRI Contrast. J Am Chem Soc. 2015 Dec 16;137(49):15548-57.
Highlights
2019: Named “One to Watch” by the Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular
Imaging
2017: Manganese-based MRI contrast agent may be safer alternative to gadolinium-based agents