12. Magnetic Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

During the last couple of decades extensive investigation efforts have been directed toward the exploitation of iron oxide nanoparticles in biomedical and bioengineering applications. To improve these applications, high saturation magnetization values and sizes smaller than 100 nm with overall narrow particle size distribution are required, so that the particles have uniform physical and chemical properties. In addition, these applications need special surface coating of the magnetic nanoparticles, which must be not only nontoxic and biocompatible but also allow a targetable delivery with particle localization in a specific area. This chapter covers the most recent challenges and advances for numerous biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement, tissue repair, immunoassay, detoxification of biological fluids, hyperthermia, drug delivery, gene delivery, bioseparation, cell tracking, cell separation, and manipulation of cellular organalles.