Quantum Dot Conjugated Magnetic Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery and Imaging

Nanotechnology is being increasingly applied for developing drug delivery options for specific treatments. Magnetic nanoparticles have drawn attention as drug delivery vehicles due to their stability, biocompatibility and ability to be non-invasively guided to desired target areas using magnetic fields. In this paper, we describe a new delivery vehicle for magnetic drug targeting. In magnetic drug targeting, drug functionalized magnetic nanoparticles are guided and localized at specific sites using external magnetic fields. Magnetic nanoparticles act as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. However, it cannot be visualized via this technique during drug delivery. This is between magnetic fields used for imaging and delivery can interference with each other. Our laboratory has synthesized a magnetic drug targeting vehicle conjugated with quantum dots that can be imaged during the drug delivery process with in vivo imaging techniques such as fluorescence molecular tomography. These nanocomposites can be used as drug delivery vehicles for the central nervous system, where drug targeting is especially difficult and minimizing side effects is critical.