Luminescent and magnetic nanoparticulates as biomarkers

Abstract

Non invasive imaging modalities such as computed x-ray tomography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography are used clinically for diagnostic medical applications. Contrast agents are frequently used for providing better spatial resolution with higher sensitivities. In recent years, advances in the field of nanotechnology have further fueled the research and development of contrast agents and introduced nanoplatforms to obtain sensitive imagery and detect changes at cellular and molecular level. Nanoparticles such as fluorescent silica, quantum dots, iron oxides, magnetically and optically labeled liposomes, dendrimer's are routinely employed in research investigations. A rising trend in this area is the development and use of multimodal contrast agents which enable multiple imaging modalities using a single entity and offer the possibility of improved diagnostics, preclinical research and therapeutic monitoring. This review paper focuses on the synthesis and application of optical and magnetic nanoparticulate probes and their integration into single multimodal nanoparticulate entities. © 2010 Hosokawa Powder Technology Foundation.