Magnetic particles injected into the body can help doctors track cell movements – and may help them figure out if certain heart-disease treatments are working.
Doctors can adapt blood cells to fight disease through stem-cell therapy, but it’s hard to tell how many of these cells go where they are supposed to. However, using cells containing magnetic particles, the researchers could track the cells because MRI scans picked up the magnetic signals.
The magnetically labeled cells moved like normal ones and were safe for study participants. However, magnetizing cells isn’t quite ready for prime time – researchers say more tests are needed before this technique can be used regularly.
Related Information:
- American Heart Association News Release
- More information on Magnetic Resonance Imaging
