Theranostics & multimodal imaging
The term theranostics combines therapy and diagnostics in a single agent. Our approach couples the large internal cavities of MOFs with paramagnetic ions (Gd³⁺, Mn²⁺) or fluorescent linkers to create contrast agents that also carry a therapeutic payload.
Research directions
- MRI contrast agents: Gd-MOF nanoparticles with longitudinal relaxivity r₁ > 30 mM⁻¹s⁻¹ — 10× better than clinical Gd-DTPA
- PET-active frameworks: ⁶⁸Ga and ⁸⁹Zr incorporation for positron emission tomography
- Fluorescence + PDT: BODIPY-functionalised linkers that generate singlet oxygen under visible light
Key results
We achieved sub-10 nm Gd-MOF nanoparticles with active folic-acid targeting to cancer cells, validated in 7T MRI on murine models (JACS 2025). Ongoing work aims at theranostic agents combining MRI visibility with photodynamic activity in a single injectable dose.