Dual-purpose “nanoships” for imaging and drug delivery

Researchers at the University of California and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a **dual-purpose micellar hybrid nanoparticle** capable of simultaneous magnetofluorescence imaging of, and drug delivery to, tumours whilst avoiding attack by the **immune system**. The nanoparticles are about 50nm in diameter and are functionalised with a protein called F3 which can bind to **cancer cells**. The particles are hybrid in that they carry two types of smaller nanoparticles: superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIOs), which permit tracking and imaging under MRI and fluorescent quantum dots which can be imaged using a fluorescence scanner, along with molecules of the chemotherapeutic agent **doxorubicin**. Whole article on "ucsdnews.ucsd.edu":[ http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/science/09-08Nanoships.asp]

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