Cover Picture: Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoworms for Tumor Targeting and Imaging (Adv. Mater. 9/2008)

The synthesis and biological behavior of tumor-homing magnetic iron oxide nanoworms consisting of a chain-like aggregation of iron oxide nanoparticle cores in a dextran coating are reported by Michael J. Sailor and co-workers on p. 1630. The elongated particles display an enhanced magnetic resonance response and long in vivo circulation times. When conjugated with a tumor-targeting peptide, they interact more effectively with a tumor-based target in vitro relative to spherical nanoparticles.