Complex nano-systems for highly selective imaging and targeting of cells

该项目的目的是设计多功能纳米颗粒，可以通过多种生物成像技术进行跟踪，例如磁共振成像（MRI）和正电子发射断层扫描成像。纳米颗粒被设计成针对特定的细胞群，并能够输送药物。该项目计划将核磁共振活性钆浓缩到纳米颗粒中，以产生增强图像，并将其与其他成像模式结合起来，以促进跟踪和灵敏度。预期的结果将使一种新的方法能够非常准确和敏感地成像肿瘤，使成像比目前可能的小得多的肿瘤。这将使早期治疗干预成为可能。纳米颗粒还被设计用于将治疗有效载荷输送到特定位置，避免有毒抗癌药物的全身输送。

The aim of the project is to design multi-functional nanoparticles that can be tracked by multiple bio-imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography imaging. The nanoparticles are designed to be targetable to specific cell populations and capable of delivering drugs. The project plans to concentrate the MRI-active gadolinium into nanoparticles to generate enhanced images, and to combine this with other imaging modalities to facilitate tracking and sensitivity. Expected outcomes would enable a new approach to extremely accurate and sensitive imaging of tumours to enable the imaging of much smaller tumours than currently possible. This would allow early therapeutic intervention. The nanoparticles are also designed to deliver a therapeutic payload to specific locations, avoiding systemic delivery of toxic anticancer drugs.