Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atsuomi Kimura | The University of Osaka | Japan
Dr. Atsuomi Kimura is a highly respected researcher in the field of medical imaging and magnetic resonance technology at Osaka University, where his work focuses on the development and application of hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe MRI/MRS for advanced biomedical research. He has made significant contributions to improving imaging sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy, particularly in the study of lung function, disease detection, and therapeutic monitoring. His research emphasizes the innovative use of hyperpolarized noble gases to visualize physiological processes in ways that conventional imaging methods cannot achieve. By combining expertise in pharmacology, medical physics, and biomedical engineering, Dr. Kimura is advancing the integration of nanomedicine and magnetic resonance for precise, non-invasive diagnostic systems. His work on hyperpolarized xenon NMR technology has led to improved robustness, reproducibility, and sustainability, strengthening its application in both medical and materials science. He is deeply committed to translating experimental imaging techniques into practical clinical tools that enhance early disease detection and personalized treatment planning. Through his interdisciplinary approach, he bridges gaps between physics, chemistry, and life sciences, fostering innovations that drive next-generation imaging platforms. His research not only contributes to understanding complex biological systems but also supports the development of highly sensitive lung cancer detection methods. Dr. Kimura is actively involved in several professional societies in Japan, promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange in analytical chemistry and magnetic resonance research. His dedication to scientific advancement, combined with his innovative spirit, continues to influence the global field of medical imaging.
Profiles: Scopus | Orcid
Featured Publications
Kimura, A., Shimokawa, A., Stewart, N. J., Imai, H., & Fujiwara, H. (2025). Relationship between pulmonary gas exchange function and brain uptake dynamics investigated with hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe MR imaging and spectroscopy in a murine model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Magnetic Resonance in Medical Sciences.
Fujiwara, H., Imai, H., & Kimura, A. (2025). Proposition of hyper‐chemical exchange saturation transfer subtraction spectroscopy to detect very weak and broad signals hidden under baseline and widen range of materials accessed by hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe NMR. ChemPhysChem.
Kimura, A., Shimokawa, A., Stewart, N. J., Hosoi, R., Imai, H., & Fujiwara, H. (2025). Ethyl pyruvate promotes wound healing in elastase-induced lung injury in mice as assessed by hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe magnetic resonance imaging. Preprint.
Fujiwara, H., Imai, H., & Kimura, A. (2024). Development of stopped-flow hyper-CEST NMR method on recirculating hyperpolarization system as applied to void space analysis in polymers. Analytical Sciences.
Kimura, A., Utsumi, S., Shimokawa, A., Nishimori, R., Hosoi, R., Stewart, N. J., Imai, H., & Fujiwara, H. (2022). Targeted imaging of lung cancer with hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe MRI using surface-modified iron oxide nanoparticles as molecular contrast agents. Cancers, 14(24), 6070.