Methods are provided for the generation of nanostructures suitable for use in magnetic resonance imaging where the nanostructures have at least one dimension of about 2 nm or less. In particular, the methods comprise the selective use of incubation temperatures that result in the controlled removal of ligands from metallic cores to which they are attached, allowing the metallic cores or the precursor moieties to unite to form nanostructures of defined and predictable shapes, but having at least one dimension significantly less that at least one other dimension. Accordingly, the nanostructures of the disclosure may be ultrathin sheets, rods, whiskers and the like, or even structures that are thin and porous resembling rice grains. The temperatures useful in the methods of the disclosure are less than 300 C. and allow for progressive elevation of the incubation temperature. The methods are especially advantageous for synthesizing nanoparticles that may be administered to an animal or human subject for imaging with magnetic resonance. Accordingly, the nanostructures of the disclosure comprise a metallic core, most typically, but not necessarily limited to, a ferrite moiety that can be a ferrous or ferric ion alone or in combination with other metallic elements. However, the methods of the disclosure are also suitable for generating nanostructures with non-ferrous cores such as magnesium or manganese cores.

A rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent and a preparation method thereof are provided. The rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent is rare earth-based inorganic nanoparticles having the surfaces coated with hydrophilic ligands. The rare earth-based nanoparticles are first obtained by a high-temperature oil phase reaction, and then the surfaces thereof are coated with hydrophilic molecules to obtain the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent. Compared with the existing clinical contrast agent, the magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention has a greatly improved relaxivity, a good imaging effect, a low required injection dose, and long in vivo residence time. In addition, the rigid structure of the inorganic nanoparticles can effectively reduce the leakage possibility of gadolinium ions.

Nanoparticle having a poly(beta-amino ester) coating. The poly(beta-amino ester) coating includes one or more therapeutic agents that can be delivered by the particle and one or more anchoring groups that couple the polymer to the nanoparticle's core surface. In certain embodiments, the poly(beta-amino ester) includes one or more polyalkylene oxide groups. The poly(beta-amino ester) can further include a targeting agent to target the nanoparticle to a site of interest and a diagnostic agent that allows for imaging of the particle. Methods for making and using the nanoparticles are also provided.

Disclosed herein are nanoconstructs comprising a nanoparticle, coated with additional agents such as cationic polymers, stabilizers, targeting molecules, labels, oligonucleotides and small molecules. These constructs may be used to deliver compounds to treat solid tumors and to diagnose cancer and other diseases. Further disclosed are methods of making such compounds and use of such compounds to treat or diagnose human disease.

Composition and method for surface-functionalized SPION-based agents. Such agents can provide highly pH-sensitive MRI contrast in tissue.

Provided are a SAMiRNA-magnetic nanoparticle complex capable of effectively delivering a double-stranded oligo RNA and magnetic nanoparticles into a cell and a composition capable of simultaneously performing diagnosis and therapy of diseases such as cancer, and the like, containing the same. More specifically, provided is the SAMiRNA-magnetic nanoparticle complex consisting of double-stranded oligo RNA-polymer structures in which a hydrophilic material and a second hydrophobic material are bound to the double-stranded oligo RNA by a simple covalent bond or a linker-mediated covalent bond, and the magnetic nanoparticles in which a first hydrophobic material is bound onto a surface of the magnetic material, as a core. The SAMiRNA-magnetic nanoparticle complex may have a homogeneous size by a hydrophobic interaction between the first hydrophobic material of the present invention and the second hydrophobic material of the double-stranded oligo RNA structure. In addition, the hydrophilic material and the second hydrophobic material bound to the double-stranded oligo RNA structure may improve in vivo stability of the double-stranded oligo RNA, an additionally bound ligand may deliver the SAMiRNA-magnetic nanoparticle complex into a target cell even at a relative low concentration of dosage, and the magnetic materials of the magnetic nanoparticles may be used as an imaging agent for diagnosis.

The present invention provides derivatized magnetic nanoparticles, methods for making such nanoparticles, and methods for their use.

In one aspect, compositions comprising a population of core-shell nanoparticles are described herein. In some cases, the population of core-shell nanoparticles comprises a core component and a shell component encapsulating or surrounding the core component. Additionally, one or more radiosensitizers are disposed in or dispersed throughout the core component, or an interior region of the core component. Similarly, one or more chemotherapeutic agents are disposed in or dispersed throughout the shell component, or an interior region of the shell component. Moreover, in some cases, the core component is formed from one or more biodegradable polymers. Further, in some instances, the shell component is formed from one or more stimuli responsive polymers, such as a temperature-responsive polymer and/or pH-responsive polymer.

The invention relates to water-soluble nanoparticles and methods for making such nanoparticles. Specifically, the invention relates to dendrimerization to enhance the solubility of nanoparticles.

Disclosed herein are polymer-coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles and methods of their manufacture and use. The nanoparticles are coated with a copolymer of poly(maleic anhydride alt-H2CCHR1)-polyethylene glycol (PMAR-PEG), wherein R1 is a hydrophobic moiety. The molecular weights of the PMAR and PEG portions of the copolymer, as well as the core diameter of the nanoparticles are selected in order to produce optimal performance for specific applications. Representative applications of the nanoparticles include magnetic particle imaging, magnetic sentinel lymph node biopsy, and magnetic fluid hyperthermia. The disclosed nanoparticles are tools for these methods that provide previously unachieved levels of stability (e.g., via reduced agglomeration) and customizability (e.g., tuned blood circulation half-life in vivo).