Interdisciplinary Initiatives Program Round 3 – 2006

Dwight Nishimura, Electrical Engineering
Hongjie Dai, Chemistry
Phillip Yang, Medicine-Cardiovascular
Michael McConnell, Medicine-Cardiovascular
Bruce Daniel, Radiology

The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate a novel nanocrystal-based contrast agent (FeCo/GC) for improved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This contrast agent has the potential to provide targeted visualization of atherosclerosis and cancer. Another promising application of this contrast agent is blood vessel imaging where improved vessel visualization may lead to better evaluation of vascular diseases and enable assessment of new vessel formation in patients with cancer and neural disease.

This project, a collaborative effort by researchers in Chemistry, Electrical Engineering and Cardiology, brought together the requisite expertise in material development, imaging technology, animal models, and clinical applications.