Jing Huang1, Liya Wang1, Qiqi Yu1, Andrew Wang2, Hui Mao1
1Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; 2Ocean Nanotech LLC, Springdale, AR, United States
Milk protein (casein) coated iron oxide nanoparticles (CSIOs) are fabricated and investigated for potential MRI probes in molecular imaging. Due to the specific protein coating, these CSIOs have been demonstrated to have higher T2-weighted MRI contrast enhancement, as well as a wide range pH stability, compared with that of conventional polymer coated iron oxide nanoparticles.