Biophotonics: Nanoengineered Contrast Agents for Biophotonics

William Marsh Rice University, Houston TX

Investigators

Abstract

0221544 Drezek The proposed project leverages recent advances in nanoparticle technologies to develop innovative contrast agents which can be optically interrogated using noninvasive approaches and targeted to specific molecular signatures of disease. The contrast agents proposed - nanoshells and nanoemitters - possess ideal optical and chemical properties for optical imaging. The optical response of these particles can be precisely and systematically varied over a broad band including the visible and infrared spectral regions. The extremely agile. tunabilityof the optical resonance is completely unique to nanoshells: in no other molecular or nanoparticle structure can the resonance of the optical extinction properties be systematically. designed. Moreover, the nanoparticles are highly biocompatible and proteins (such as antibodies) are readily conjugated to their surfaces. To develop the potential of nanoparticles as contrast agents for optical imaging, the investigators will study a novel class of exogenous contrast agents designed and optimized to address the clinically important problem of detection of pre.invasive neoplasias.