Megan Midson

Contact


megan.midson12@ic.ac.uk

Research


"Novel nanoscopic multimodal imaging agents and their applications – Optical, CT, PET/SPECT and MRI active nanoparticles"

The development of multimodal imaging agents is a key area of nanoparticle research. To have a single material that has the ability to image multiple disease states using one or more of several available techniques offers an obvious improvement in clinical applications. It also complements new developments in combined modality imaging instruments (e.g. PET/MR) leading to shorter waiting times and more accurate diagnosis.

In this multidisciplinary, cross-college project, we will prepare MFe2O5/BaYbF5;X,Y core/shell materials (M = Co, Mn; X, Y, = Eu, Tm, Yb, Er, Ho, Tb) using organometallic chemistry developed in the research groups of Long and Green. We will then utilise a range of bisphosphonate ligands, developed by the Long/Torres groups to induce hydrophilicity whilst providing anchoring points for further radionuclides. In this manner, the ferrite core will provide MRI activity, the BaYbF5 shell will provide the CT functionality whilst the dopant rare-earth ions provide the optical emission. Numerous groups can be engineered into the ligands, including anchors for radionuclides (for PET/SPECT imaging) and further functional groups for the coordination of peptides, antibodies, etc.

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