Smart “Turn‐on” Magnetic Resonance Contrast Agents Based on Aptamer‐Functionalized Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

Smart agents. A contrast agent was designed by combining target specific nucleic-acid aptamers against adenosine with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Target-induced disassembly of clustered nanoparticles in the presence of adenosine led to an increase in T2, which was seen as an increase in the brightness of the magnetic resonance image (see figure). Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2268/2007/z700323_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.