Nuclear magnetic resonance readable sensors

The monitoring of physiological biomarkers is fundamental to the diagnosis and treatment of disease. We describe here the development of molecular sensors which can be read by magnetic resonance (MR) relaxometry. MR is an advantageous bio-sensor readout because it can be determined from opaque samples and through intervening layers of matter. Wash steps can therefore be avoided in in vitro MR assays and non-invasive interrogation achieved for in vivo MR sensing. Functionalized magnetic nanoparticles originally developed as in vivo contrast agents have recently been adapted for use in magnetic relaxometry assays. The first half of this thesis describes a simple particle functionalization strategy and its application to the detection of myocardial infarction ("heart attack") associated biomarkers. The particles were subcutaneously implanted in the form of small discrete sensors and shown to be efficacious in measuring the physiological release of three protein biomarkers. Alternative contrast mechanisms may also be employed by MR readable sensors. The second half of this thesis introduces the novel use of 'smart' polymers which produce analyte-responsive changes in MR relaxivity. We show that MR responsive calcium-crosslinked and pH-swelling hydrogels can be incorporated within discrete sensors.

Department dc:contributor.department

Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Ling, Yibo

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Michael J. Cima.

• Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/57705

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/57705