Protein polymer-gold nanoparticles, compositions comprising protein polymer-gold nanoparticles, and uses of protein polymer-gold nanoparticles. A protein polymer-gold nanoparticle comprises a gold core and a plurality of protein polymer molecules coordinated to the gold core via a poly-histidine tag present on each protein polymer molecule. A protein polymer molecule comprises one or more elastin-like polypeptide domain and a coiled-coil region of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein domain or a variant thereof. For example, the protein polymer-gold nanoparticles can be used in methods of small molecule delivery to an individual.

Nanoparticles for use as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents are described. The nanoparticles are made up of a polymeric support and a manganese-oxo or manganese-iron-oxo cluster having magnetic properties suitable of a contrast agent. The manganese-oxo clusters may be Mn-12 clusters, which have known characteristics of a single molecule magnet. The polymer support may form a core particle which is coated by the clusters, or the clusters may be dispersed within the polymeric agent.

Disclosed are magnetic and fluorescent nanoassemblies having reverse architectures. Especially, the nanoassemblies include an organic fluorescent inner core and magnetic nanoparticles contacting the surface of the fluorescent core. The nanoassemblies may further be coated by a polymer adsorbed at its surface, the polymer being optionally functionalized. Also described is a process for manufacturing the nanoassemblies, as well as use of the nanoassemblies, especially for multimodal imaging; in vitro and/or in vivo diagnostics through multimodal imaging; ex vivo sensing and/or extraction; and/or therapy.

The present invention relates to magnetic and fluorescent nanoassemblies having reverse architectures. Especially, the nanoassemblies of the invention comprise a fluorescent core and magnetic nanoparticles contacting the surface of the fluorescent core. The nanoassemblies of the invention may further be coated by a polymer, which may optionally be functionalized. The invention further relates to a process for manufacturing the nanoassemblies of the invention. The invention is also directed to the use of the nanoassemblies of the invention, especially for multimodal imaging, in vitro and/or in vivo diagnostics through multimodal imaging, and/or therapy.

A bone cement formulation comprising: (a) magnetic calcium phosphate nanoparticles present in an amount of 5.0-95 wt. % and having a largest linear dimension of 150 nm to 50 microns; (b) polymerizable acrylate monomer present in an amount of 5.0-95 wt. %; and (c) polyacrylate polymer present in an amount of 0-80 wt. % and having a largest linear dimension from 5.0 to 500 microns. Upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field the formulation is heated which results in polymerization of the acrylate monomer component. The formulation may also be polymerized via the use of chain polymerization initiators.

Nanoparticles for use as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents are described. The nanoparticles are made up of a polymeric support and a manganese-oxo or manganses-iron-oxo cluster having magnetic properties suitable of a contrast agent. The manganese-oxo clusters may be Mn-12 clusters, which have known characteristics of a single molecule magnet. The polymer support may form a core particle which is coated by the clusters, or the clusters may be dispersed within the polymeric agent.

Silica nanocarriers hybridized with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and curcumin through equilibrium or enforced adsorption technique. Methods for dual delivery of SPIONs and curcumin to a target for diagnosis or therapy, for example, for SPION-based magnetic resonance imaging or for targeted delivery of curcumin to a cell or tissue. The technique can be extend to co-precipitation of mixed metal oxide involving Ni, Mn, Co and Cu oxide. The calcination temperature can be varied from 500-900 C. The nanocombination is functionalized with chitosan, polyacrylic acid, PLGA or another agent to increase its biocompatibility in vivo.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1 contrast agent composition including T1 contrast material coated on the surface of a nanoparticle support and an imaging method using the MRI T1 contrast agent. The MRI T1 contrast agent composition has excellent T1 spin magnetic relaxation effects by modifying the paramagnetic T1 contrast material on the nanoparticle support having a certain diameter such that the paramagnetic T1 contrast material has a certain thickness or less, and thereby remarkably increasing the surface-to-volume ratio of the T1 contrast material. The MRI T1 contrast agent provides more precise and clear T1 positive contrast images, and is thus useful for highly reliable image diagnosis.

Silica nanocarriers hybridized with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and curcumin through equilibrium or enforced adsorption technique. Methods for dual delivery of SPIONs and curcumin to a target for diagnosis or therapy, for example, for SPION-based magnetic resonance imaging or for targeted delivery of curcumin to a cell or tissue. The technique can be extend to co-precipitation of mixed metal oxide involving Ni, Mn, Co and Cu oxide. The calcination temperature can be varied from 500-900 C. The nanocombination is functionalized with chitosan, polyacrylic acid, PLGA or another agent to increase its biocompatibility in vivo.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1 contrast agent composition including T1 contrast material coated on the surface of a nanoparticle support and an imaging method using the MRI T1 contrast agent. The MRI T1 contrast agent composition has excellent T1 spin magnetic relaxation effects by modifying the paramagnetic T1 contrast material on the nanoparticle support having a certain diameter such that the paramagnetic T1 contrast material has a certain thickness or less, and thereby remarkably increasing the surface-to-volume ratio of the T1 contrast material. The MRI T1 contrast agent provides more precise and clear T1 positive contrast images, and is thus useful for highly reliable image diagnosis.