Modified viruses and methods for preparing the modified viruses are provided. Vaccines that contain the viruses are provided. The viruses can be used in methods of treatment of diseases, such as proliferative and inflammatory disorders, including cancer, and as anti-tumor and/or antiangiogenic agents. The viruses also can be used in diagnostic methods.

The invention described herein relates to sterically stabilized colloidal constructs comprising preformed colloidal particles encapsulated within a polymeric shell. The constructs, which are controllably sized, are nanoparticles comprising hydrophobic elements, electrostatically charged particles with hydrophobic surfaces, hydrophobic inorganic nanostructures, and amphiphilic copolymers with hydrophobic domains and hydrophilic domains. The constructs are made by a process that allows for the simultaneous encapsulation of a preformed colloidal agent as well as a dissolved hydrophobic active within the core of the polymeric nanoparticle. Among the actives incorporated in various embodiments are organic fluorescent dyes, metal nanostructures and superparamagnetic materials for use in combined fluorescence, optical and magnetic resonance imaging applications, and hydrophobic drugs for therapeutic applications.

The compositions and methods of the disclosure particularly target the divalent metal transporter expressed on olfactory nerve terminals to transport divalent cation-coated or cation-containing nanoparticles to all regions of brain. It has been found that such divalent cation-containing nanoparticles, including those nanoparticles comprising manganese have affinity for the metal transport receptor proteins. Although this receptor has particular affinity for manganese, it is contemplated that other divalent ions, including magnesium, calcium, and the like may also be bound to such receptors leading to transport of the nanoparticles into the intracellular cytoplasm. Nanoparticles have been developed, therefore, as vehicles for parenteral delivery of genes, proteins and drugs. The present disclosure encompasses embodiments of nanoparticle-based compositions and methods for the use thereof for the delivery of genes, oligonucleotides, including but not limited to small interfering RNA, and other small molecule drugs, into the brain by nasal insufflation.

Nanostructures that, after in vivo administration, are excreted in the urine via the kidneys without being phagocytosed by macrophages and/or metabolized, and their use as pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. A nanostructure for in vivo administration contains (i) a spherical core formed by crosslinking one to three dextran molecules with an average molecular weight of 10,000 Da or less using a crosslinker and (ii) a discontinuous shell with divalent or trivalent iron ions coordinationally bonded to crosslinker-derived hydrophilic groups on the surface of the spherical core; and has (iii) a mass ratio of dextran to iron ranging from 100:2 to 100:10, and a charge ranging from 20 mV to 0 mV.

Imaging systems and methods are provided. Systems and methods of the subject invention can include the use of nanoparticles (for example, nanophosphors) within a sample to be imaged. Excitation with radiation, such X-ray radiation, can be performed on the nanoparticles to give rise to a change in one or more resonance parameters of the nanoparticles, and this change can be measured using magnetic resonance imaging to provide localization information.

Provided herein are polymeric particles and compositions (i.e., backpacks) that can adhere to cells and provide delivery of payload agents to those cells, and/or direct therapeutic activity of those cells.

A method of detecting drug-resistant cancer in a subject is described. The method includes contacting a tissue of the subject with an effective amount of a molecular probe, detecting the amount of the molecular probe present in the tissue, comparing the amount of molecular probe detected to a control value, and detecting drug-resistant cancer in the subject if the amount of the molecular probe present in the tissue is higher than the control value. The molecular probe includes the following formula: P-L-C wherein P is a EDB-FN targeting peptide, C is a contrast agent; and L is a non-peptide linker that covalently links the peptide to the contrast agent. Methods of monitoring the treatment of drug resistant cancer are also described.

The present invention relates to novel biocompatible imaging particles comprising superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) assembled into submicromiter-sized clusters within a biodegradable polycathecolamine or polyserotonine matrix, their synthesis and use in imaging techniques. These particles overcome the issues of toxicity and unreliable signal of the molecules from the prior art by providing similar contrast to that of the microparticles of iron oxide and rapidly disassemble into isolated SPIO particles once they reach the acidic lysosomal compartment of the MPS cells, thus enabling their digestion. The present invention is thus directed to a particle having a hydrodynamic diameter comprised between 100 nm and 2000 nm, said particle comprising nanoparticles of iron oxide embedded within a matrix of polycathecolamine or polyserotonine, each of said nanoparticles of iron oxide being coated by a polymer which is different from polycathecolamine or polyserotonine

Described are coated iron oxide nanorods (IONRs) containing an iron oxide core and a coating surrounding the core, and pharmaceutical compositions containing these coated IONRs. The iron oxide core of the coated IONRs has strong magnetic property, i.e., a magnetic flux density of at least 10 emu/g, induced using 1 T magnetizing field strength, at room temperature. The coating of the coated IONRs can be formed by a polymer, such as an amphiphilic polymer. The coated IONRs are stable in an aqueous medium for at least 30 mins, at room temperature, while maintain the superior magnetic property of the core, achieving a separation efficiency of at least 80% within only 1 min of magnet time. Optionally, the coated IONRs contain one or more active agents embedded in the coating of the coated IONRs, for systemic or local delivery.

In a method for preparing a hyperpolarised sample, for example for a magnetic resonance procedure, a starting solution comprising alpha-ketoglutaric acid and 13C-labelled molecules is frozen to form a frozen solution. The solution is irradiated with ultraviolet and/or visible radiation, to generate free radicals. The frozen solution is then hyperpolarised by applying a magnetic field to the solution while irradiating it with frequency-modulated microwave radiation.