Viral MRI contrast agents: coordination of Gd by native virions and attachment of Gd complexes by azide–alkyne cycloaddition

Abstract

Icosahedral virus particles decorated with a Gd(DOTA) analogue by Cu-mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) and/or with Gd(3+) ions by coordination to the viral nucleoprotein show increased T(1) relaxivity relative to free Gd(DOTA) complexes in solution.