Design and assembly of supramolecular dual-modality nanoprobes

We report the design and synthesis of self-assembling dual-modality molecular probes containing both a fluorophore for optical imaging and a metal ion chelator for imaging with MRI or radionuclide methods. These molecular probes can spontaneously associate into spherical nanoparticles under physiological conditions. We demonstrate the use of these supramolecular nano-probes for live-cell optical imaging, as well as their potential use as MRI contrast agents after complexation with gadolinium. Our results suggest that self-assembly into supramolecular nanoprobes presents an effective means to enhance and tune the relaxivities of molecular probes.