Inventors:
Constantinos G. Hadjipanayis - Decatur GA, US
George C. Hadjipanayis - Wilmington DE, US
Michael J. Bonder - Livingston NJ, US
Assignee:
EMORY UNIVERSITY - Atlanta GA
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE - Newark DE
International Classification:
A61K 49/14
A61K 49/16
A61K 9/50
A61K 33/26
A61K 39/395
A61P 35/00
US Classification:
424 934, 424490, 424646, 4241581, 4241721
Abstract:
Synthesis of iron nanoparticles with a substantially unoxidized iron core and a biocompatible coating is described. The nanoparticles are formed by reacting an iron salt solution with a reducing agent in a substantially oxygen-free environment and exposing the formed iron particles to a biocompatible coating agent in a substantially oxygen-free environment to form coated iron particles. An average diameter of the coated iron particles is between 5 nm and 25 nm. The biocompatible coating can functionalized with cell-specific agents for use as diagnostic and therapeutic agents.