Achievement

IGERT trainee C.F. successfully synthesized magnetic nanoparticles suitable for MRI contrast agents with superior stability in biological media. Those nanoparticles were conjugated with targeting ligands, such as RGD peptide and chlorotoxin, and have demonstrated their specificity towards glioma (a type of brain tumor) cells. IGERT trainee M.M. developed complementary drug delivery technologies that target specific cells within the body and worked with researchers at an NGO to bring this to a potential application. Both projects involve collaboration among engineers, scientists and medical professionals to extend the clinical reach of these core technologies.