Click Functionalized Nanoprobes for Target Specific Biomedical Applications

Engineered superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are smart materials for advanced biomedical applications because of their appealing physicochemical properties. These properties entail uniform size, shape, good biocompatibility, chemical inertness, physiological stability, phase purity, high values of saturation magnetization and facile surface functionalization. In this thesis a-Fe2O3- (hematite) and Fe3O4- (magnetite) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using microwave and solvothermal methods. Additionally various reactive organic molecules such as azides and alkynes were attached to the surfaces of particles via "Click chemistry" methods. The click-functionalized particles were studied for selective conjugation of proteins derived from the leaf proteome and also explored for labeling with 68Ga and 177Lu. Furthermore, the labeling of particles with 68Ga or 177Lu for the diagnosis and radio-therapeutic use against cancer cells could be demonstrated.