Figure 2

Schematic diagram illustrating possible MNP features. Iron oxides (typically magnetite, Fe₃O₄, or maghemite, γ-Fe₂O₃) provide contrast for MRI and confer ‘superparamagnetism’ to the final particle. A protective biocompatible coating may be functionalized to carry drugs, cell targeting molecules, fluorophores for histological detection and/or nucleic acids for gene delivery.