AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-05-1-0592 TITLE: PSMA-Targeted Nano-Conjugates as Dual-Modality (MRI/PET) Imaging Probes for the Non-Invasive Detection of Prostate Cancer PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

Multi-color gold-nanoparticle-based tags (nanotags) are synthesized for combined surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and x-ray computed tomography (CT). The nanotags are synthesized with quasi-spherical gold nanoparticles encoded with a reporter dye (color), each with a unique Raman spectrum. A library of nanotags with six different colors were synthesized for a range of gold nanoparticle sizes and an optimum size has been established to yield the largest SERS intensity and x-ray attenuation that is higher than the iodinated CT contrast agents used in clinics. Proof-of-principle in vivo imaging results with nanotags are presented that, for the first time, demonstrates the combined in vivo dual modality imaging capability of SERS and CT with a single nanoparticle probe. S Supplementary data are available from stacks.iop.org/Nano/21/035101/mmedia (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)