Non-invasive imaging systems, such as MRI and CT, have
become an essential part of modern medicine for obtaining the information
necessary to diagnose various diseases. MRI contrast agents have been tested in
imaging cancers of the liver, the spleen, and the gastrointestinal tract as well
as in imaging cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers at the Biodesign Institute of Arizona State
University have developed a new contrast agent that can be used for both CT
scanning and MRI imaging. The contrast agent is a tungsten-iron ferritin
nanoparticle with spin lattice (T1) and spin-spin (T2) relaxivities of 4,497
mM-1s-1 and 458,143 mM-1s-1 per particle, respectively. The nanoparticle has a
visibility in CT at concentrations of 20mM of tungsten.
Several previous techniques have relied on unloading native
ferritin and re-incorporation of iron into the core, often resulting in a
polydisperse sample. Simplifying the technique, the present contrast agent uses
a commercially available horse spleen apoferritin to create a monodisperse and
homogenous solution. The solution contains magnetic properties that can be
utilized for magnetic resonance imaging of molecular events.
Potential Applications
- Magnetic resonance imaging contrast
- Enhancement agents
- Non-invasive imaging of drug delivery
Benefits and Advantages
- High-relaxivity and functional contrast agents for MRI
- Labels malignant cells allowing for specific tissue
targeting
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research, please see
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Bennett's directory webpage
