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MRI Imaging of Islet Cells with Iron Oxide Nanocrystals Iron oxide nanocrystals have magnetic properties, which make them ideal candidates for biological applications including drug delivery and diagnostic medical imaging, such as MRI. Iron oxide nanocrystals are also highly stable in solution and bio-compatible, thus making their incorporation into biological applications relatively easy. A new method for using γ-Fe2O3 nanocrystals for MRI imaging of islet cells (insulin producing cells) has been developed by Professors Nicholas J. Turro and Stephen P. O?Brien in collaboration with Professor Truman Brown of the Columbia Medical School, Hatch Research Center. Iron oxide nanocrystals are made water-soluble by encapsulation within phospholipid micelles and conjugated to antibodies by SMPT, a heterobifunctional crosslinker that is commonly used in bioconjugation techniques. Fluorescent labeled phopspholipids and antibodies are utilized to confirm and image the conjugation of the nanocrystal and antibody. These contrast agents are less toxic than typical gadolinium chelated complexes, and can be used to follow the movement of islet cells injected during islet cells transplant procedures.
Posted on May 11, 2005. For more details please contact: Stephen O'Brien or Nicholas Turro. |
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