US 8,569,078 B2Granted

Magnetic-nanoparticle conjugates and methods of use

AssigneeThe General Hospital Corporation

InventorsLee Josephson, Ralph Weissleder, J. Manuel Perez

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Abstract

The present invention provides novel compositions of binding moiety-nanoparticle conjugates, aggregates of these conjugates, and novel methods of using these conjugates, and aggregates. The nanoparticles in these conjugates can be magnetic metal oxides, either monodisperse or polydisperse. Binding moieties can be, e.g., oligonucleotides, polypeptides, or polysaccharides. Oligonucleotide sequences are linked to either non-polymer surface functionalized metal oxides or with functionalized polymers associated with the metal oxides. The novel compositions can be used in assays for detecting target molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, in vitro or as magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents to detect target molecules in living organisms.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An assay for determining aggregate formation in a fluid sample, the assay comprising:

(i) adding a mixture of at least two populations of conjugates that specifically bind to a target molecule to a fluid sample under conditions that enable aggregate formation, wherein each conjugate in the first population comprises a superparamagnetic nanoparticle linked to a plurality of first binding moieties that bind to a first binding site on the target molecule, and wherein each conjugate in the second population comprises a superparamagnetic nanoparticle linked to a plurality of second binding moieties that bind to a second binding site on the target molecule;
and
(ii) measuring the spin-spin (T2) relaxation time of the fluid to determine whether an aggregate has formed,
wherein the aggregate remains in solution while measuring the spin-spin (T2) relaxation time.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/772,747Filed 3 May 2010 · division
Priority: 6 Jun 2001
Published: US 2011/0046004 A124 Feb 2011
Granted: 29 Oct 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification26 codes

G01N 33/54346
The carrier being characterised by its particulate form: nanoparticles
A61K 49/1851
Having a magnetic core, being a solid MRI-active material, e.g. magnetite, or composed of a plurality of MRI-active, organic agents, e.g.…: having…
B82Y 5/00
Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine
C07F 15/02
Compounds containing elements of Groups 8, 9, 10 or 18 of the Periodic Table: iron compounds

Family

Application60/296,378Us provisional application · filed 6 Jun 2001
Application10/165,258Parent of this continuation · filed 6 Jun 2002
Application12/194,475Parent of this division · filed 19 Aug 2008
US 2011/0046004 A1Pre-grant publication · published 24 Feb 2011
US 7,829,350 B2Parent of this division
Application12/194,475Parent of this continuation
US 2003/0092029 A1Published application
US 2009/0029392 A1Published application
US 8,569,078 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.