| Description |
Various modern imaging technologies are widely used to monitor structural, functional and molecular changes in biological tissues. Each has its own advantages and limitations, such as low spatial or depth resolution and sensitivity, which make it difficult to obtain accurate information from the desired location. Multimodal imaging can compensate for these weaknesses and play an important role in optimizing medical research and clinical practice. This project will focus on the design and controlled synthesis of functional lanthanide nanoparticles with biocompatible polymer coatings in order to obtain novel multimodal cellular markers. Combining different lanthanides in a nanocrystal structure will result in a trimodal probe for optical (down- and upconversion), ultra-high field MRI and enhanced X-ray CT imaging. Functional polymers will be used to control the chemical and colloidal stability of particles and immobilize bioactive low-molecular weight compounds. In collaboration with biological institutes, the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of lanthanide nanomarkers as multimodal contrast agents will be evaluated in terms of their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, stain cells and generate contrast. Graduate students in organic, macromolecular and physical chemistry are suitable for this topic. |
