Ferritin as a contrast agent for multimodal imaging

• Main Author: Ong, Wei Quan
• Other Authors: Lim Sierin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Bioengineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/72051
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Self-assembling ferritin protein nanocages have shown great potential as a potent MRI contrast agent due to its natural property of accumulating hydrous ferric oxide in the iron core. Ferritin is the iron storage protein which is able to bind to different metals. It also provide significant potential for templated synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles. Copper Sulfide (CuS) can be used as contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging due to its strong near-infrared absorbance. In this project, CuS nanoparticle was synthesized inside the ferritin protein nanocages. It was then followed by loading the iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) atoms inside the genetically engineered Arachaeoglobus fulgidus ferritin (AfFtnAA) cage cavity. Characterization of the ferritin nanocages and the nanoparticles which had been encapsulated inside the nanocages were done using biophysical techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy. UV-spectroscopy is used to check the absorbance of the protein. Consequently, our study may results into the contrast agent for MRI as well as photoacoustic imaging.