Stephen O’Brien (PI), Columbia University DMR 0348938

1. Biocompatible MION-Antibody Conjugates Stephen O’Brien (PI), Columbia University DMR 0348938 Nanoscale Materials science and engineering is playing an increasingly important role in biology and medicine. In this case we are interested in improving the imaging capabilities of MRI. Not just to get a better picture, but to actually image specific parts of the body or highlight groups of cells that may serve an important function, like the platelet cells that produce insulin. Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (MIONs) can be used as the image agents, and when conjugated to an antibody become a target specific imaging device. A nanoparticle with biocompatible coatings A series of MRI scans of an animals kidney, showing contrast changes with changing concentration of MION-conjugates over time

2. Biocompatible MION-Antibody Conjugates Broader Impacts Materials science is needed to make the particles, biochemistry is needed to perform the conjugation, and radiology is needed to interpret the data. A truly interdisciplinary activity performed by PhD student Kristi Hultman. (Collaborators Truman Brown and Paul Harris, Columbia Radiology Dept.) Kristi also finds time to conduct regular visits to high schools in the New York area, including the charter school, New Explorations in Science, Math, and Technology. She says “the kids love materials science when I bring out the liquid nitrogen.” mPEG 2000