Harnessing Self assembly to generate a spectrum of multi-functionalised nanoparticles for multimodal imaging

We will use a protein that can self assemble from its subunits into a capsule as a vehicle for imaging inside patients using magnetic resonance or tomography and in the longer term delivering drugs to specific tissues such as tumours. As the individual building blocks of the protein capsule can be modified in different ways, the capsule can be optimised on an individual basis based on patient need.

Ferritin subunits containing un-natural azido bearing amino acids will be produced and MRI, fluorescence and PET probes added using click chemistry. The subunits will then be mixed in known ratios and apoferritin protein capsules will self assemble. These nanoparticles will be characterised by DLS, TEM, fluorescence and MRI/PET before being evaluated for their localisation and imaging properties in mice.