MR Imaging of Bioscaffold-Induced Neural Progenitor Migration

Due to the complex nature of the contrast agents, we will focus on the synthesis and characterization of the particle payloads, particle stability, and targeting efficiency. Initial studies will take advantage of Northwestern facilities for analyses such as Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Au-Nanoclusters will be synthesized as a result of preliminary data showing very high relaxivities can be achieved when Gd(III) is coupled to the Au.