A manganese-ferritin nanocomposite as an ultrasensitive T2 contrast agent

T-2 contrast is gaining importance in high field strength MRI. We report a strategy for developing a T-2 contrast agent from paramagnetic metal ions synthesized within an engineered protein cage. The manganese-ferritin nanocomposite showed high T-2 relaxivity indicating its potential as an ultrasensitive T-2 contrast agent.