Despite several attempts, in vivo bimodal imaging still represents a challenge. Generally, it is accepted that dual-modality in imaging can improve sensitivity and spatial resolution, namely, when exploiting fluorescence (FI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), respectively. Here, a newly developed combination of (i) protein-protected luminescent Au-Ag nanoclusters (LGSN) manifesting themselves by fluorescent emission at 705 nm and (ii) superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) embedded within the same protein and creating contrast in MR images, has been investigated in phantoms and applied for in vivo bimodal imaging of a mouse as a proof of principle. Unique LGSN-SPION nanocomposites were synthesized in a specific sequential one-pot green preparation procedure and characterized thoroughly using many physicochemical experimental techniques. The influence of LGSN-SPION samples on the viability of healthy cells (RPE-1) was tested using a calcein assay. Despite the presence of Ag (0.12 mg mL-1), high content of Au (above 0.75 mg mL-1), and moderate concentrations of Fe (0.24 mg mL-1), LGSN-SPION samples (containing approx. 15 mg mL-1 of albumin) were revealed as biocompatible (cell viability above 80%). Simultaneously, these concentration values of all components in the LGSN-SPION nanocomposite were used for achieving both MRI and fluorescence signals in phantoms as well as in a living mouse with sufficiently high resolution. Thus, the LGSN-SPION samples can serve as new efficient bimodal FI and MRI probes for in vivo imaging.

Department of Analytical Chemistry Faculty of Science Palacký University Olomouc tř 17 Listopadu 12 77900 Olomouc Czech Republic

Department of Experimental Physics Faculty of Science Palacký University Olomouc tř 17 Listopadu 12 77900 Olomouc Czech Republic

Department of Histology and Embryology The 3rd Faculty of Medicine Charles University Ruská 87 100 00 Prague Czech Republic

Faculty of Health Studies Technical University of Liberec Studentska 1402 2 46117 Liberec Czech Republic

Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine Videnska 9 140 21 Prague Czech Republic

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