UAIPD 10-0028

Dr. Yuping Bao

Shape-controlled Magnetic Nanoparticles as T1 Contrast Agents

for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Current Problems• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – Powerful, non-invasive diagnostic tool for

living organisms – Provides real-time images with great spatial

resolution• Problems – Potential toxicity of current T1 contrast agent– Lack of targeting imaging ability– Relative short residence time– Relies on omnipresent mechanisms

• Variety of nanoparticle (NP) shapes– Tune the relaxivity of magnetic NP’s as T1 contrast agents for

MRI• Modification of the contrast agent structure into

whiskers, plate or wire shapes– Increases the effectiveness of the contrast agent

• Method for targeting image– Target imaging can be realized and further enhancement of

the residence time

Technology

Figure 1. Shape-controlled iron oxide nanoparticles: (a) nanowhiskers, (b) uniform thin nanowires along with irregular shaped particles, (c) porous nanorices, and (d)

nanoplates

• Removes toxicity of widely used T1 contrast agent

• Produce brighter and clearer quality• Provide targeting imaging ability • Enhance contrast agent residence time • Easy to produce• Safer and more effective • Increase retention– Through nanowires

Advantages

• Dr. Yuping Bao– Associate Professor– 2 patent applications

• Departments– Center for Materials for

Information Technologies– Chemical and Biological

Engineering

Inventor

ybao@eng.ua.edu

Office for Technology Transfer720 2nd Ct E

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401UAIPD 10-0028OTT@UA.edu

www.OTT.UA.edu