OMAR ZURKIYA, M.D., PH.D.
Radiology at Brookline Ave, Boston, MA

2009031, Dec 17, 2009

Apr 28, 2006

11/912817

Xiaoping Philip Hu - Tucker GA, US
Anthony Wing Sang Chan - Norcross GA, US
Omar Zurkiya - Boston MA, US

Emory University - Atlanta GA
Georgia Tech Research Corporation - Atlanta GA

A61K 49/00, C12N 15/87, C12N 5/06, A01K 67/027, C12N 15/00, A61K 31/7088, C12N 13/00

424 9321, 435440, 435455, 435325, 800 13, 800 14, 800 18, 800 15, 800 16, 800 17, 4353201, 4351739, 514 44 R

Methods and compositions for using magnetosomes as cellular contrast agents and markers for magnetic resonance imaging are provided. Certain methods involve synthesizing magnetosomes in a cell as directed by a nucleotide construct comprising an exogenous polynucleotide sequence, wherein the magnetosome serves as a contrast agent or marker for magnetic resonance imaging. Methods of synthesizing and isolating magnetosomes for introduction into immune-matched cells within a tissue or subject for use as a contrast agent or marker for magnetic resonance imaging are also provided. Also provided are methods for stably transfecting cells to express a polypeptide that drives or modulates magnetosome production in the cell, cells produced by such methods and methods for their isolation, transgenic animals comprising at least one eukaryotic cell produced by such methods, and vectors and delivery systems for the transfection of such cells. Further provided are methods for non-invasively generating a visible image of a tissue or subject containing at least one cell such transfected cell, as well as use of such methods to monitor the location, migration, or proliferation of cells in a tissue or subject or to detect or monitor gene expression in a tissue or subject.