Magnetite nanodiscs as vortex-enhanced MRI contrast agents: a novel approach in medical imaging

Kocar E, Ferrauto G, Nizami SB, Duran Toro V, Ali U, Signorelli L, Giannattasio T, Micali M, Wasner F, Stein R, Tietze R, Sorrentino M, Corrado A, Papi C, Scarciglia A, Di Gregorio E, Toschi N, Gregurec D, Conti A (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Nanoscale Advances Royal Society of Chemistry

DOI: 10.1039/d5na01089f

Abstract

Magnetic nanodiscs (MNDs) represent a transformative class of anisotropic magnetic nanoparticles with intrinsic vortex magnetization, enabling multifunctional applications in biomedical imaging and therapy. Here, we demonstrate their potential as dual-mode magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents, a unique feature which is enabled by the high longitudinal relaxivity (r1 ≈ 40 mM−1 s−1) at ultralow magnetic fields (<70 µT) in combination with strong transverse relaxivity (r2 > 150 mM−1 s−1) at ultrahigh fields (>7 T). This field-dependent relaxivity profile uniquely positions MNDs as versatile T1/T2 agents compatible with emerging low-field MRI platforms and high-resolution clinical systems. Ex vivo and in vivo assessments confirmed clear anatomical localization and preferential hepatic accumulation, suggesting prolonged circulation times due to surface-mediated immune evasion. These properties highlight MNDs as promising candidates for next-generation theranostics, with tunable magnetic responses, high contrast efficiency, and the ability to synergize imaging and neurostimulation.

Authors with CRIS profile

Elif Kocar Juniorprofessur für Sensory Sciences Vicente Duran Toro Juniorprofessur für Sensory Sciences Uzair Ali Juniorprofessur für Sensory Sciences Lorenzo Signorelli Juniorprofessur für Sensory Sciences Franziska Wasner Juniorprofessur für Sensory Sciences Danijela Gregurec Juniorprofessur für Sensory Sciences

Involved external institutions

Massachusetts General Hospital US United States (USA) (US) University of Turin / Università degli Studi di Torino (UNITO) IT Italy (IT) Università degli Studi di Roma 'Tor Vergata' IT Italy (IT)

How to cite

APA:

Kocar, E., Ferrauto, G., Nizami, S.B., Duran Toro, V., Ali, U., Signorelli, L.,... Conti, A. (2026). Magnetite nanodiscs as vortex-enhanced MRI contrast agents: a novel approach in medical imaging. Nanoscale Advances. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5na01089f

MLA:

Kocar, Elif, et al. "Magnetite nanodiscs as vortex-enhanced MRI contrast agents: a novel approach in medical imaging." Nanoscale Advances (2026).

BibTeX: Download