Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.

Zhiren Liu

Jenny Jie Yang

Shenghui Xue

Jie Jiang

Mani Salarian

Jinjuan Qiao

Yubin Zhou

Jingjuan Qiao

Lixia Wei

Shunyi Li

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for contrast agents, methods of making contrast agents, and methods of using contrast agents, and the like.

Contrast agents, methods for preparing contrast agents, and methods of imaging

Provided is a protein contrast agent for enhancing an MRI image and comprising a polypeptide having a conformation presenting at least five oxygen atoms positioned to chelate at least one paramagnetic metal ion such as Gd, each oxygen atom being between about 2 angstrom units and about 5 angstrom units from the metal ion; the metal ion has at least one water molecule electrostatically interacting a distance of less than about 10 angstrom units a target-specific moiety conjugated thereto, at least one polyethylene glycol molecule, and a paramagnetic metal ion. Also provided is a method of obtaining an enhanced MRI image using the protein contrast agent to a T2/T1 or T1/T2 intensity ratio of the MRI image; and (d) obtaining an image of the T2/T1 or T1/T2 intensity ratio.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Zhiren Liu