Bio-imaging with smart functional nanoparticles

Objective

The overall objective is the development of ultrasensitive bio-imaging techniques based on novel multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) with tailored optical and magnetic properties for visualizing complex cellular structures, receptors, tumour cells and tissues. True innovation rests on the capability to combine the preparation of 'ad-hoc' NPs, having different properties and functions, with the development of advanced bio-imaging techniques. The expected improvements of labeling cells and cellular structures with tailored NPs are sensitivity, speed and specificity in the visualization of biological systems. We plan the development of stable colloidal solutions containing non-cyto-toxic, colloidally stable Si-based NPs properly functionalized on the surface in order to improve and tune their optical properties and increase their selectivity in specific biological targets. These NPs will be employed, in cooperation with two SMEs, for the development of optical bio-imaging techniques aiming at: (i) understanding how the genome instructs and orchestrates the functions of cells, organs and organisms; (ii) whole-cell labelling for cell or pathogen detection, cell tracking, cell sorting and cell lineage studies; (iii) optical imaging of tumour cells for early cancer diagnostics. A further task concerns the development of stable colloids of non-toxic, non-immunogenic NPs with: (i) high magnetization, so that NP can be moved in the blood and accumulated in the target organ, (ii) particle size small enough to remain in circulation after injection (iii) narrow size distribution for differential uptake of various tissues. The aim is the development of marketable, well tolerated, highly efficient, specific and economically viable contrast agents for the detection and characterization of complex tumour and/or inflammatory lesions in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, in collaboration with our industrial partner'.

Field of science

• /engineering and technology/medical engineering/diagnostic imaging/magnetic resonance imaging

Programme(s)

• FP6-LIFESCIHEALTH - Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health: Thematic Priority 1 under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006.

Topic(s)

• LSH-2005-1.2.2-3 - Nanoparticles-based diagnostics

Call for proposal

FP6-2005-LIFESCIHEALTH-6
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Funding Scheme

STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project

Coordinator

AGENZIA NAZIONALE PER LE NUOVE TECNOLOGIE, L'ENERGIA E LO SVILUPPO ECONOMICO SOSTENIBILE

Address

Lungotevere Grande Ammiraglio Thaon Di Revel 76
Roma
Italy

Participants (12)

COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

France

Address

25 Rue Leblanc
Paris

CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS

Spain

Address

C/ Serrano Nº 117
Madrid

UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID

Spain

Address

Avda. Complutense S/n
Madrid

MAX PLANCK GESELLSCHAFT

Germany

Address

Hofgartenstr. 8
101062 Muenchen

UNIVERSITA' DI MILANO-BICOCCA

Italy

Address

Piazza Dell'ateneo Nuovo 1
Milano

GUERBET

France

Address

15 Rue Des Vanesses
Villepinte

GENERAL PHYSICS INSTITUTE

Russia

Address

Vavilov St. 38
Moscow

ALBERT-LUDWIGS-UNIVERSITÄT FREIBURG

Germany

Address

Fahnenberglatz
Freiburg

NANOVECTOR SRL

Italy

Address

Via Livorno, 60
Torino

TILL PHOTONICS GMBH

Germany

Address

Lochhamer Schlag 19
Gräfelfing

INSTITUL NATIONAL PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI

Romania

Address

409, Atomistilor Str
MG-36 Bucharest

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA

Italy

Address

Via 8 Febbraio 2
Padova