Ian Wark Research Institute
ARC Special Research Centre
ARC Special Research Centre
Research Area: Nanomedicine, nanobiomaterials, cancer,
immunotargeting
Supervisor: A/Prof
Benjamin Thierry
Collaborators: Prince of Wales Hospital (UNSW, Sydney) and
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Description: Current clinical cancer treatments require precise
information about the primary tumour and sites of its locoregional or
distant spread. While conventional anatomical imaging methods (computed
X-ray tomography, MRI, ultrasound) represent the mainstay of modern
imaging, reliable detection of cancers is only possible when they are
>1cm in diameter. New technologies to allow early detection and to
monitor lesions in real time in a cancer specific manner are crucial to
formulate and individualise treatments. Magnetic nanoparticles are a
major class of nanoscale materials with the potential to revolutionize
current clinical diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. They are being
actively investigated as the next generation of magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) contrast agents.
Project Aim: Extending the expertise of The Wark in the synthesis
and engineering of functional nanoparticles, this project aims to design
a new generation of immunotargeted MRI nanoparticulate contrast agents
towards the improved detection and imaging of cancer.
Further Information
Weissleder R, Pittet MJ: Imaging in the era of molecular oncology.
Nature. 2008;452(7187):580-9Sun C, Lee JS, Zhang M.: Magnetic
nanoparticles in MR imaging and drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2008
;60(11):1252-65.
