Towards assessing the biomechanical properties of organoids/spheroids at 35 micron resolution with Magnetic Resonance Elastography

Motivation: MR-Elastography is technology that shows promises for gauging response to therapy. Goal(s): It is hence of great interest to make this technology also available for the quantification of tissue organoids/spheroids. This enables the translation of the same imaging biomarkers to the pre-therapeutic regime. Approach: We present a system that allows for contactless quantification of organoid biomechanics at 35micron resolution and show that gauged spheroids as small as 400mm in diameter are properly quantified in terms of shear wave speed. Results: The concept allows to “real-word” organoid testing as they are embedded in a collagen dome with buffer solution around to enable drug exposure. Impact: Using MRE sequence on patient derived materials to predict cancer cells response to chemotherapy, could be a lifetime saver not only for the patient but also for the clinician decision, by testing in vitro several therapies at the same time.