Superparamagnetic nanosystems based on iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical imaging

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and their dispersion in various mediums are of wide interest for their biomedical applications and physicochemical properties. MFe(2)O(4) or MOFe(2)O(3) (where M = Co, Li, Ni or Mn, for example) can be molecularly engineered to provide a wide range of magnetic properties. In this article, we survey the literature, integrating the results of our work to give a rational view on the synthesis, physicochemical properties and applications of MFe(2)O(4), especially for MRI. However, retrieving detailed biological information on a subcellular level is difficult, owing to the limited resolution and low sensitivity of the MRI technique. Thus, this article also concentrates on the development of a magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles/quantum dot hybrids, as a dual-mode magnetic-fluorescent probe. The synthesis and physicochemical properties of the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles/quantum dot hybrids and, especially, its application as an MRI-fluorescent probe, will also be described.