Surface Modifying Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with VCAM-1 Specific Peptide for Atherosclerosis Plaque Imaging

This study aims to conduct an in vitro study confirming the affinity of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) specific peptide surface modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) for atherosclerosis plaque imaging. Currently, plaque detection technology is not as advanced as it could be to detect early onset of atherosclerosis. A novel method is to use biocompatible nanoparticles attracted to the specific sites of interest to image and remove the plaque before further damage. This in vitro can be translated into an in vivo model making it applicable in future targeting studies for atherosclerosis imaging via PET scans.Gang Bao - Faculty Mentor; Johnna Temenoff - Committee Member/Second Reade