Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Keywords
magnetic nanoparticles ; MRI contrast agent ; cancer targeting ; drug delivery ;
polymer coating ; surface functionalization ; encapsulation
Abstract
Magnetic core-polymer shell nanoparticles, with the core mainly in the form of
magnetite (Fe
3
O
4
) or maghemite (
- Fe
2
O
3
), offer great opportunities for applica-
tions in biomedicine. Such a confi guration provides a synergistic combination of
the intrinsic properties of the magnetic core with special biochemical functions,
achieved through proper tailoring of the polymer shell. Active research and devel-
opment efforts on the applications of such nanoparticles are ongoing in biomedi-
cal areas, such as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging to achieve
increasingly high spatial resolution, down to the cellular and even molecular level;
delivery vehicles of drugs to targeted organs or tumors; and as a heating mediator
for cancer thermotherapy (hyperthermia). The controllability of these nanoparti-
cles with respect to their physico-chemical properties, biodistribution and site
specifi city within the physiological environment, are major challenges which need
to be addressed. In this chapter we review the synthetic routes of magnetic core-
polymer shell nanoparticles, with emphasis on the tailoring of the polymer shell
to confer the nanoparticles with desired properties for biomedical applications.
γ
