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Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Biofunctionalized Prussian Blue Nanoparticles for Multimodal Molecular Imaging Applications
Published on: April 28, 2015
Photomagnetic Prussian blue nanocubes: Synthesis, characterization, and biomedical applications
Diego S Dumani1, Jason R Cook2, Kelsey P Kubelick3
1Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA.
Abstract:
Nanoparticles play an important role in biomedicine. We have developed a method for size-controlled synthesis of photomagnetic Prussian blue nanocubes (PBNCs) using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as precursors. The developed PBNCs have magnetic and optical properties desired in many biomedical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Specifically, the size-tunable photomagnetic PBNCs exhibit high magnetic saturation, strong optical absorption with a peak at approximately 700 nm, and superior photostability. Our studies demonstrate that PBNCs can be used as MRI and photoacoustic imaging contrast agents in vivo. We also showed the utility of PBNCs for labeling and magnetic manipulation of cells. Dual magnetic and optical properties, together with excellent biocompatibility, render PBNCs an attractive contrast agent for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The use SPIONs as precursors for PBNCs provides flexibility and allows researchers to design theranostic agents according to required particle size, optical, and magnetic properties.
