Functionalized nanocontainers as dual magnetic and optical probes for molecular imaging applications

A dual-probe optical and magnetic imaging system has been synthesized out of nanometer-sized zeolite L crystals. The zeolite channels contain the optically emitting green pyronine molecules which can be used as fluorescent labels for optical imaging. The surface has been modified by a gadolinium complex which introduces a probe for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The combination of the excellent three-dimensional spatial resolution of MRI with the high sensitivity of optical imaging should lead to a system which overcomes the shortcomings of each individual technology. The system has been characterized by fluorescence microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance dispersion (NMRD) spectroscopy. The results obtained show that the probes open up interesting possibilities for imaging based on multiple read outs.