The present invention relates to smart nano-scaffolds as MRI contrast agents and method ofpreparation thereof. The MRI contrast agents of the present invention are prepared usingnontoxic nanomaterials functionalized with non-toxic organic fragments and gene targetingmoiety via an aryl linker. The present invention further relates to the use of nontoxic10 nanomaterials such as bio-friendly quantum dots of glucose, graphene or carbon and/or boronnanotube surface functionalized with non-toxic amine fragment and/or carbohydrate and genetargeting moiety such as nucleosides or nucleotides or DNA or RNA or aptamer oroligonucleotide via an aryl linker, wherein the non-toxic amine fragment and/or carbohydrateserve as chelating partner for metal (Fe or Pt). The present invention also relates to use of smart15 nano-scaffolds based MRI contrast agents in early detection of cancer or brain tumor.
Inventors
Mohit Kapoor, Partha Khanra, Pankaj Kumar
