We have developed a new class of protein-based MRI contrast agent (ProCA) by de novo design of Gd3+ binding site(s) into a stable host protein with significantly improved MRI relaxivity at medical application field strengths. Designed proteins show strong Gd3+ affinity and selectivity over excess Ca2+ and other metal ions and a significant improvement in in vivo dose efficiency over clinically approved small molecule based contrast agents such as DTPA. These design ProCAs also exhibit a large improvement in blood retention time and pharmokinetics with excellent enhancement in angiography. Furthermore, we have successfully designed targeted MRI contrast agents to specifically recognize various biomarkers such as gastric release peptide receptors and HER2/EGFR overexpressed in different types of cancers and cell types without using antibodies. These developed targeting MRI contrast agent exhibit strong receptor-specific MRI enhancement both in tumor cells and xenograft mice models with desirable penetration of tissue and the endothelial boundary with applications in monitoring the level of expression and distribution of biomarkers in vivo and examining the response upon treatment by the targeted therapeutics.
Events Calendar View
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NanoSEC Seminar
Oct 22, 2010
Rational Design Protein-based MRI Contrast Agents (ProCAs) with High Relaxivity and Target Capability to different types of Biomarkers
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CSP Lunch Seminar
Oct 26, 2010
Wang-Landau Simulations of Thermodynamic Behavior in Homopolymer Systems
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NanoSEC Seminar
Oct 29, 2010
Advanced Electron Microscopy at CAUR
Electron microscopy has become a key element in many research activities. In this talk, I will give an introduction to various microscopy instruments and techniques at CAUR (Center for Advanced Ultrastructural Research) for your research needs. A few examples will be illustrated.
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CSP Lunch Seminar
Nov 2, 2010
Heisenberg model with competing interactions
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Departmental Colloquium
Nov 4, 2010
Postponed
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CSP Lunch Seminar
Nov 9, 2010
Ab-initio modeling of complex metal hydrides for hydrogen storage purposes
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