Achievement

Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) in the form of biocompatible iron oxide NPs are key components of next-generation drug delivery systems, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, and cell separation systems for disease diagnosis. IGERT fellow Vanessa Ayala Rivera is working on a project that studies the effect of the molecular weight of grafting polymer on the magnetic nanoparticles’ colloidal stability as well as its effects on its uptake by cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Once these parameters are optimized, the next step of the project is to study the effect of such particles in the viability of cancer cells after magnetic fluid hyperthermia treatment (MFH). One of the most powerful attributes of magnetic NPs is their use as a versatile MRI contrast enhancement agent. Codi Gharagouzloo, IGERT fellow, has developed novel pulse sequences that will help improve contrast enhancement using these magnetic nanoparticles.