Development and Testing of Novel Contrast Agents for Diagnostic Imaging

State-of-the-art imaging underpins many 21st century medical advances in the diagnosis and treatment of pathological problems. More than one million CT scans are conducted on patients in Australia every year, with annual demand growing at 5%. Current radiographic contrast agents based on iodine are not ideal either in terms of patient safety, since 5% of patients suffer moderate to severe allergic reactions, or in their X-ray absorption properties. This project will develop new, non toxic, bimodal contrast agents for CT and MRI based on ligand encapsulated metal oxide cages which will provide improved image contrast and patient safety'',