Cut Nanotube Capsules for MR Imaging (RMI)

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目将研究一类新型的强效磁共振成像（MRI）造影剂，该造影剂基于切割的碳纳米管填充磁性纳米材料。这些材料将作为磁性材料输送的保护性纳米胶囊，并提供数量级的MR对比度增强，这对于实现MRI细胞和分子成像的目标至关重要。填充被切割的纳米管和衍生其外表面的水溶性和生物相容性的合成工作将是核心。这种新型MRI造影剂的物理特性，包括NMRD的弛豫测量，将提供对其弛豫机制的深入了解，并为进一步改进提供途径。与毒理学和放射学专家的合作将确定其最终临床调查的适用性。在这个项目中创建的新平台技术为MRI对比增强提供了一个独特的范例，它不仅可以作为医学研究工具包中的一种工具，还可以作为临床相关的MRI对比剂，用于检测和改善疾病的治疗。

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.