Gadolinium-based contrast agents in nanoporous particles.
Nanoconstructs
Geometrical confinement of gadolinium-based contrast agents in nanoporous particles enhances T1 contrast.
The group of Prof. Lothar Helm (LCIB - Laboratory of Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry), together with researchers form Texas University, showed a general method for increasing relaxivity by confining contrast agents inside the nanoporous structure of silicon particles. The enhancement in contrast is attributed to the geometrical confinement of the agents, which influences the paramagnetic behaviour of the Gd3+ ions. This nanoscale confinement offers a new and general strategy for enhancing the contrast of gadolinium-based contrast agents.
Jeyarama S. Ananta et al., Nature Nanotechnology, DOI: 10.1038/NNANO.2010.203 (2010)