title: Ferritins as nanoplatforms for imaging and drug delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Due to unique architecture and surface properties, ferritin has emerged as an important class of biomaterial. Many studies suggest that ferritin and its derivatives hold great potential in a wide range of bio-applications.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review, we summarize recent progress on employing ferritins as a platform to construct functional nanoparticles for applications in MRI, optical imaging, cell tracking, and drug delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As a natural polymer, ferritins afford advantages such as high biocompatibility, good biodegradability, and a relatively long plasma half-life. These attributes put ferritins ahead of conventional materials in clinical translation for imaging and drug delivery purposes.
authors: University of Georgia, Department of Chemistry , Athens, GA 30602 , USA.
authors: Zipeng
authors: Z
authors: Zhen
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Tang
authors: Trever
authors: T
authors: Todd
authors: Jin
authors: J
authors: Xie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D005293:Ferritins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003287:Contrast Media; D053769:Nanocapsules; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D005293:Ferritins
keywords: MRI; drug delivery; ferritin; nanomedicine; reporter gene