Synthesis of a dextran-based bone tracer for in vivo magnetic resonance and optical imaging by two orthogonal coupling reactions

Synthesis of dextran-based bone tracers for in vivo imaging from a dextran-template containing terminal acetylenes and amino groups though a diethylene glycol spacer is described. The tracer was used to visualize regenerated bone in a BMP-2 installed hydrogel by magnetic resonance and optical imaging.