title: Progress in the characterization of bio-functionalized nanoparticles using NMR methods and their applications as MRI contrast agents.
abstract: Significant progress has been made over the last three decades in the field of NMR, a technique which has proven to have a variety of applications in many scientific disciplines, including nanotechnology. Herein we describe how NMR enables the characterization of nanosystems at different stages of their formation and modification (raw materials, bare or functionalized nanosystems), even making it possible to study in vivo nanoparticle interactions, thereby importantly contributing to nanoparticle design and subsequent optimization. Furthermore, the unique characteristics of nanosystems can open up new prospects for site-targeted, more specific contrast agents, contributing to the development of certain nuclear magnetic resonance applications such as MRI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Campus Sur, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: López-Cebral
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Unit, RIADT, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Campus Vida, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martín-Pastor
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Campus Sur, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Molecular ImageGroup, IDIS, Santiago de Compostela University Hospital Complex (CHUS), A Choupana, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Begoña
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seijo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Campus Sur, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Molecular ImageGroup, IDIS, Santiago de Compostela University Hospital Complex (CHUS), A Choupana, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Electronic address: alejandro.sanchez@usc.es.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Drug delivery; MRI; NMR; Nanoparticles; Theranosis