Theranostic Magnetic Nanostructures for the Molecular Imaging of Cancer

该项目的主要目标是开发新的治疗诊断探针，利用迅速发展的纳米技术领域。我们将利用纳米结构的非凡磁性同时成像和治疗癌症。此外，我们的生物活化探针可用于成像细胞的命运和迁移，基因表达，和第二信使激活体内。 这种方法的基本原理是，非侵入性分子成像是将肿瘤状态与治疗效果相关联的理想方法。分子影像学是生物科学和临床领域的重要工具。为了最大限度地发挥这些技术的影响，必须开发敏感的造影剂，也是功能。我们已经证明了生物活化MR造影剂作为体内生化报告者的能力。 我们的项目设计是使用附着在磁性纳米结构（MNS）平台上的生物活性探针来报告病变和肿瘤的生理特性。随着时间的推移，对MNS与癌症治疗结合进行成像，我们将能够评估癌症对治疗的分子反应。 我们已经组建了一个研究团队，其专业包括合成和材料化学，纳米结构制备，分子成像和肿瘤学。 在该补助金提供的五年资助期间，将培训至少在其中一个领域（分子成像、合成化学、纳米结构制备）具有经验的四名各级研究生

The main objective of this project is to develop new theranostic probes that exploit the rapidly advancing field of nanotechnology. We will utilize the extraordinary magnetic properties of nanostructures for simultaneous imaging and treatment of cancer. Further, our bioactivated probes can be used for imaging cell fate and migration, gene expression, and secondary messenger activation in vivo. The rationale for this approach is that noninvasive molecular imaging is ideal for correlating the status of the tumor to treatment efficacy. Molecular imaging is an important tool for biological sciences and the clinical areas. In order to maximize the impact of these techniques, sensitive contrast agents must be developed that are also functional. We have demonstrated the ability of bioactivated MR contrast agents to act as in vivo biochemical reporters. Our project design is to use bioactivated probes attached to magnetic nanostructure (MNS) platforms for reporting on physiological properties of lesions and tumors. Imaging the MNS in conjunction with cancer treatments over time, we will be able to evaluate the molecular response of the cancer to the therapeutic. We have assembled a team of investigators whose specialties include synthetic and materials chemistry, nanostructure preparation, molecular imaging and oncology. Four graduate students of all levels with experience in at least one of these areas (molecular imaging, synthetic chemistry, nanostructure preparation) will be trained during the five years of funding supplied by this grant