Cut Nanotube Capsules for MR Imaging (RMI)

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目将研究一类基于填充磁性纳米材料的切割碳纳米管的新型强效磁共振成像（MRI）造影剂。这些材料将作为磁性材料输送的保护性纳米胶囊，并在MR对比度增强方面提供数量级的改善，这对于实现MRI细胞和分子成像的目标至关重要。 填充切割的纳米管并衍生其外表面以获得水溶性和生物相容性的合成努力将是核心。这类新的MRI造影剂的物理表征，包括通过匪RD的弛豫测量，将提供对其弛豫机制的深入了解，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其适用于最终的临床研究。该项目中创建的新平台技术提供了MRI对比度增强的独特范例，可广泛应用于医学研究工具包以及临床相关的MRI造影剂，用于疾病的检测和改善治疗。

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.