When imaging meets size-transformable nanosystems

Imaging techniques, including magnetic, optical, acoustic and nuclear imaging, are gaining popularity as a research tool and clinical diagnostics. The advent of imaging agents-incorporated nanosystems (NSs), with sufficient contrast and high resolution, facilitates better monitoring of disease progression, targeted delivery and therapeutic process. Of note, the size of NSs remarkably affects imaging performance, while both large and small NSs enjoy respective features and superiority for imaging aspect, including penetra-tion depth, signal-to-background ratio and spatiotemporal resolution. In this review, after a systematic summary of the basic knowledge of imaging techniques and its relation with size-tunable strategies, we further provide insights into the opportunities and challenges facing size-transformable NSs of the future for bio-imaging application and clinical translation.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Imaging techniques, especially those using nanosystems with size-tunable features, are becoming popular for research and clinical diagnostics. These nanosystems with sufficient contrast and high resolution allow better monitoring of disease progression, targeted delivery, and therapy. The size of the nanosystems significantly impacts their imaging performance, and both large and small nanosystems have their own advantages.