We have designed and manufactured a lipid-encapsulated contrast microbubble. As participants in the Centre for Cardiovascular Studies (Tissue Ultrasound Group) we have designed and manufactured a lipid-encapsulated contrast microbubble which is ultrasonically echogenic at intravascular frequencies (30-40 MHz). Moreover, by incorporating specific ligands into the surface of the microbubbles, we have shown that the microbubbles can be targeted to specific cellular and tissue sites within the vasculature. This development of suitable targeting strategies will aid in delivering site-specific drug or gene delivery. This technology also provides an opportunity to develop magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents which can be targeted to specific cell types or employed for stem cell tracking in vivo. This article was published on 2024-02-06
