SUMMARY

Early stage disease diagnosis still remains a challenge despite much efforts to develop novel imaging and diagnostic techniques. Nanoparticles used as a molecular imaging contrast agents with multifunctionality and flexibility provide a platform for targeting the specific disease biomarkers and integration of imaging modalities. In this work, we investigated the potential of the radiolabeled, targeted super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) in imaging atherosclerotic plaque and tumor in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Positron emission tomography (PET).