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Magnetic resonance imaging of mesenchymal stem cells homing to pulmonary metastases using biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles.

This was the first successful implementation of magnetic-particle-loaded autologous stem cells as vectors in a mouse model. It validated my hypothesis that, as autologous stem cells elicit no immune response when returned to the donor’s bloodstream, they might make ideal ‘stealth’ vectors. The cells were incubated with the magnetic particles, ex vivo, for 24 hours before being returned to the mouse. These particular cells were found to naturally target to lung cancer metastases, making them a promising therapeutic route. This work was patented in 2009, and was the basis of my £1.7M EPSRC Grand Challenge project, which ran from 2009-12.