Superparamagnetic Nanosystems Based on Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Imaging

Abstract

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and their dispersion in various mediums are of wide interest for their biomedical applications and physicochemical properties. MFe₂O₄ or MOFe₂O₃ (where M = Co, Li, Ni or Mn, for example) can be molecularly engineered to provide a wide range of magnetic properties. In this article, we survey the literature, integrating the results of our work to give a rational view on the synthesis, physicochemical properties and applications of MFe₂O₄, especially for MRI. However, retrieving detailed biological information on a subcellular level is difficult, owing to the limited resolution and low sensitivity of the MRI technique. Thus, this article also concentrates on the development of a magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles/quantum dot hybrids, as a dual-mode magnetic-fluorescent probe. The synthesis and physicochemical properties of the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles/quantum dot hybrids and, especially, its application as an MRI-fluorescent probe, will also be described.

Keywords::

• dual-mode probe
• iron oxide nanoparticle
• magnetic-fluorescent
• MFe₂O₄
• quantum dot

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique, the ARC Program 05/10–335 of the French Community of Belgium and the ENCITE program of the European Community. The support and sponsorship concerted by COST Action D38 ‘Metal-based systems for Molecular Imaging Applications’ and the EMIL program are kindly acknowledged. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Patricia de Francisco for her help in preparing the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique, the ARC Program 05/10–335 of the French Community of Belgium and the ENCITE program of the European Community. The support and sponsorship concerted by COST Action D38 ‘Metal-based systems for Molecular Imaging Applications’ and the EMIL program are kindly acknowledged. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.