Fluorescent magnetic nanoprobes, methods of making, and methods of use

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for nanoprobes, methods of imaging, methods of imaging a target, methods of making nanoprobes, and the like.

We claim the following: 
     
         1 . A nanoprobe, comprising:
 a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticle having a silanization coating on the surface of the SPIO nanoparticle, wherein the silanization coating is about 5 to about 1000 nm thick, or more, and does not include silicates or silica.   
     
     
         2 . The nanoprobe of  claim 1 , wherein the silanization coating is made of cross-linked trimethoxyl silanes. 
     
     
         3 . The nanoprobe of  claim 1 , wherein the SPIO nanoparticle has a diameter of about 3 nm to 40 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The nanoprobe of  claim 1 , wherein silanization coating is amorphous and controllable to about 5 nm to 500 nm thick. 
     
     
         5 . The nanoprobe of  claim 1 , wherein the SPIO nanoparticle is a product of an oxidative decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl with a compound selected from the group consisting of: trimethylamine oxide, oleic acid, hexadecane, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The nanoprobe of  claim 1 , wherein the SPIO nanoparticles are precipitated with isopropanol prior to silanization. 
     
     
         7 . The nanoprobe of  claim 1 , wherein the silanization coating includes biotin. 
     
     
         8 . The nanoprobe of  claim 7 , wherein a streptavidin-fluorescent compound is attached to the silanization coating via biotin. 
     
     
         9 . The nanoprobe of  claim 1 , wherein a targeting moiety is attached to the silanization coating, wherein the targeting moiety has an affinity for a target. 
     
     
         10 . The nanoprobe of  claim 1 , wherein the iron oxide nanoparticle comprises one or more particles composed of a phase selected from the group consisting of: a maghemite ((γ-Fe 2 O 3 ) phase, a magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) phase, and a combination of both phases. 
     
     
         11 . The nanoprobe of  claim 1 , wherein the silanization coating does not change the magnetic properties of the original SPIO nanoparticle.