Cut Nanotube Capsules for MR Imaging (RMI)

描述(申请人提供)：该项目将研究一类新的基于填充磁性纳米材料的切割碳纳米管的有效磁共振成像(MRI)造影剂。这些材料将作为提供磁性材料的保护性纳米胶囊，并在磁共振对比度增强方面提供数量级的改善，这对于实现磁共振细胞和分子成像的目标至关重要。填充切割后的纳米管并将其外表面衍生为水溶性和生物相容性的合成努力将是核心。对这种新型磁共振造影剂的物理表征，包括NMRD的松弛测量，将提供对其松弛机制的洞察，并提供进一步改进的途径。与毒理学和放射学专家的合作将确定它们是否适合最终的临床研究。该项目将创建的新平台技术在磁共振成像对比增强方面提供了一种独特的范例，可广泛应用于医学研究工具包以及用于检测和改进疾病治疗的临床相关磁共振成像造影剂。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project will investigate a new class of potent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents based on cut carbon nanotubes filled with magnetic nanomaterials. These materials will function as protective nanocapsules for the delivery of magnetic materials and offer orders-of-magnitude improvement in MR contrast enhancement, vital to achieving the goal of cellular and molecular imaging with MRI. Synthetic efforts towards filling the cut nanotubes and derivatizing their outer surfaces for water solubility and biocompatibility will be central. Physical characterization of this new class of MRI contrast agent, including relaxometry by NMRD will provide insight into their relaxation mechanisms and offer avenues for further improvement. Collaboration with experts in toxicology and radiology will establish their suitability for eventual clinical investigations. The new platform technology to be created in this project offers a unique paradigm in MRI contrast enhancement useful for broad applications as both an implement in the medical research toolkit as well as for clinically relevant MRI contrast agents for the detection and improved treatment of disease.