The invention provides an improved modified magnetosome that contains more iron therein with the combination of the expressed genes. This is achieved by co-expression of (a) one or more bacterial magnetotactic genes to amplify iron uptake, compartmentalization and biomineralization in cells, with (b) one or more mammalian iron handling proteins that together augment(s) and/or regulate the cells iron pool. As a result, mammalian cells or bacterial cells that are transfected or transformed, respectively, can be more effectively tracked using various imaging technologies.

The invention relates to a method for preparing PHFs-like Tau aggregates and to a method for identifying compounds that are inhibitors of Tau protein aggregation, blockers of Tau seeding and propagation, and imaging agents that specifically bind PHF.

A nanoparticle for diagnostic, therapeutic, and/or theranostic applications includes a rod-shaped plant virus like particle (VLP), one or more gadolinium T.sub.1 contrast agents conjugated to an interior surface of the VLP, and a layer of polydopamine (PDA) coated over a portion of the exterior surface of the VLP.

A nanoparticle construct is provided. The nanoparticle construct includes a nanoparticle defining an outer surface, a magnetic nanocrystal carried by the nanoparticle, and a coupling agent extending from the outer surface of the nanoparticle. The coupling agent is configured to couple the nanoparticle construct to a cell.

A method of improving targeted delivery of at least one of a treatment agent, an imaging agent and a diagnostic agent attached to magneto-aerotactic-responsive bacteria; it includes adapting a total bolus escape time of a solution of the magneto-aerotactic responsive bacteria in order to influence the targeting of a target zone with hypoxic zones in the patient.

The present invention provides stem cells loaded with bi-functional magnetic nanoparticles (nanoparticle-loaded stem cells (NLSC)) that both: a) heat in an alternating magnetic field (AMF); and b) provide MRI contrast enhancement for MR-guided hyperthermia. The nanoparticles in the NLSC are non-toxic, and do not alter stem cell proliferation and differentiation, the nanoparticles do however, become heated in an alternating magnetic field, enabling therapeutic applications for cancer treatment. Due to the fact that circulating stem cells home to tumors and metastasis, and participate in neovascularization of growing tumors, the NLSC of the present invention allows tracking of the tissue distribution of infused stem cells and selective heating of targeted tissues with AMF. NLSC can deliver hyperthermia to hypoxic areas in tumors for sensitization of those areas to subsequent treatment, thus delivering therapy to the most treatment-resistant tumor regions. The heating of diseased tissue either results in direct cell killing or makes the tumor more susceptible to radio- and/or chemotherapy. The targeted hyperthermia provided by the present invention has clinical potential because it is associated with fewer side effects, and can also be used in combination with conventional treatment modalities, significantly enhancing their effectiveness. The NLSC of the present invention can be used for MR image-guided hyperthermia in oncology, in stem cell research for cell tracking and heating, and for elimination of mis-injected stem cells.

Provided herein are MRI agent-loaded platelets, methods of preparing MRI agent-loaded platelets, and methods of using MRI agent-loaded platelets. In some embodiments, methods of loading MRI agents into platelets include contacting platelets with an MRI agent, a cell penetrating peptide, and a loading buffer that can include a salt, a base, a loading agent, and optionally at least one organic solvent.

A rod-shaped plant virus having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and at least one imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface is described. The rod-shaped viruses can be combined into larger spherical nanoparticles. A rod-shaped plant virus or spherical nanoparticles including an imaging agent can be used in a method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject such as a tumor or atherosclerotic tissue by administering the virus particle to the subject and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the virus particle has been distributed.

The disclosure relates to compositions comprising isolated mitochondria or combined mitochondrial agents, and methods of treating disorders using such compositions.

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.