Lipid-modified dendrimers as a tool for the design of nanoparticle-based multimodal MRI contrast agents

A fast and easy method for water transfer of iron oxide nanoparticle based on the hydrophobic interaction of oleic acid coated nanoparticles with the amphiphilic PAMAM-C12 dendrimer is described. The process may be conveniently performed in water and yields nanoparticles with good size distribution, diameter modulation and high crystallinity. The nanoparticles have been functionalized with gadolinium ions to obtain T-1/T-2 dual mode contrast agents. Furthermore, the possibility to deliver and release lipophilic drugs was investigated.