Described are compositions and methods of manufacturing extracellular vesicles comprising sticky imaging particles. In one aspect, methods include associating a sticky element to imaging particles forming sticky imaging particles. The sticky imaging particles are associated with extracellular vesicles (EV) to form a mixture comprising extracellular vesicles (EV) that comprise sticky imaging particles. The method also include separating the sticky imaging particles associated with EVs from sticky imaging particle that are not associated with EVs.

Radiation therapy or radiotherapy (RT) is a powerful treatment where precision and accuracy is crucial. Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) facilitates more accurate position verification, correcting for anatomic changes related to internal organ movement. IGRT thereby helps reduce toxicity of radiotherapy and increases relapse-free survival. An inter-correlation point with a fixed position and volume (a marker) can be applied to indicate the point of treatment clearly in both imaging modalities and to localize and track tumors in real time. In this study, we present the development of a marker based on lactose octaacetate:octapropionate 1:1 containing 3 mM PLA-DTPA(Gd), 40% triglyceride, 5% propylene carbonate and 10% XSAIB (sucrose based CT-contrast agent). The injectable marker had high CT contrast (>1000 HU) and displayed clearly visible, stable T.sub.1 contrast enhancement (T.sub.1˜900 ms) in the rim over at least 3 weeks with clinically observable resolution.

An imaging nanoparticle comprising a plant virus particle having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface, and a layer of biocompatible mineral such as silica coated over the exterior surface, is described. The imaging nanoparticle can be used in method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject, by administering to the subject a diagnostically effective amount of an imaging nanoparticle and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the imaging nanoparticle has been distributed.

Provided is a T1 contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. The T1 contrast agent includes fine iron oxide nanoparticle cores and micelles encapsulating the core particles. The micelles include a nonionic surfactant consisting of a hydrophilic moiety containing at least two chains and a hydrophobic moiety containing at least one C.sub.10-C.sub.30 hydrocarbon chain. The T1 contrast agent of the present invention is a novel one based on fine iron oxide nanoparticles that can replace conventional gadolinium-based T1 contrast agents. The T1 contrast agent based on fine iron oxide nanoparticles according to the present invention is harmless to humans, is rapidly distributed in the blood, and has a uniform size, ensuring its uniform contrast effect. In addition, the T1 contrast agent of the present invention enables image observation for at least 1 hour to up to 2 hours and is excreted through the kidneys and liver. Therefore, the T1 contrast agent of the present invention avoids the problems encountered in conventional gadolinium-based contrast agents.

MRI contrast agent for use in the diagnosis of early changes in the endothelium of blood vessels

Provided are cubic-phase (α-phase) erbium (Er)-doped near-infrared-II (NIR-II)-emitting nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the nanoparticles are near-infrared-IIb (NIR-IIb)-emitting nanoparticles. Also provided are nanoparticles having disposed thereon a layer-by-layer crosslinked polymeric hydrophilic biocompatible coating. Also provided are compositions comprising the nanoparticles of the present disclosure. Methods of using the nanoparticles, e.g., for in vivo imaging, are also provided.

The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance structure with a cavity or a reserved space that provides contrast and the additional ability to frequency-shift the spectral signature of the NMR-susceptible nuclei such as water protons by a discrete and controllable characteristic frequency shift that is unique to each MRS design. The invention also relates to nearly uniform solid magnetic resonance T.sub.2* contrast agents that have a significantly higher magnetic moment compared to similarly-sized existing MRI contrast agents.

The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance structure with a cavity or a reserved space that provides contrast and the additional ability to frequency-shift the spectral signature of the NMR-susceptible nuclei such as water protons by a discrete and controllable characteristic frequency shift that is unique to each MRS design. The invention also relates to nearly uniform solid magnetic resonance T.sub.2* contrast agents that have a significantly higher magnetic moment compared to similarly-sized existing MRI contrast agents.

The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, particularly an MRI contrast agent derived from nanoparticle that is porous first metal-doped second metal oxide nanoparticle with a central cavity, and a method for producing the same. The MEI contrast agent made in accordance with the present invention can be used not only as a drug-delivery agent for therapy but also as an MRI contrast agent for diagnosis.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of nanoparticle composites that comprise covalently coupled stabilizing agent molecules that improve stability of the nanoparticle composites and allow for tight packing of lipids and/or membranes. The nanoparticle composites can further comprise inhibition inhibitors and/or lipid components that interact to form a hybrid lipid bilayer membrane around the nanoparticle core. The nanoparticle composites can be coupled to drugs, targeting moieties, and imaging moieties. The nanoparticle composites can be used for in vivo drug deliver, disease diagnosis/treatment, and imaging.