Events

Prof. Hua Ai, Magnetic Nanocomposites as MRI Probes: Design and Applications

Date: Monday 11 March 2013 12:00 - 13:30

Location: SEMS Seminar Room

Prof. Hua Ai, Sichun University
National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

Magnetic Nanocomposites as MRI Probes: Design and Applications
Self-assembly of nanoparticles has created many advanced nanostructures with unique properties. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles are of special interests because of broad applications in electronic devices, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), thermal therapy, cell separation, etc. In this presentation, we will discuss how to stabilize organic SPIO nanoparticles in aqueous phase with the help of functional polymers and how to form controlled structures through self-assembly. In our approach, polymeric micelles are used as carriers with SPIO nanocrystals located inside the hydrophobic core and protected by the hydrophilic corona in water. These hybrid nanocomposites can generate strong MRI signal contrast both in vitro and in vivo. Design of small molecule paramagnetic probes and conjugation to polymer micelles will also be discussed.
These hybrid nanocomposites can serve as sensitive MRI probes for early diagnosis, monitoring of therapeutic efficacy and other bioimaging applications.