Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and systems for detecting a target biochemical molecular species whose main component is water. In one aspect, the method comprises steps of: (a) obtaining a sample whose main component is water; (b) providing Functionalized Paramagnetic Particles (FPP) comprising a paramagnetic core and a moiety configured to interact with the target biochemical molecular species; (c) contacting the FPP with the sample; (d) exposing the sample to an applied magnetic field; (e) measuring a change in a nuclear relaxation property of the sample, caused by the interaction between the FPP and the biochemical molecular species in the applied magnetic field; and (f) correlating the change to the presence of the biochemical molecular species in the sample. According to a main aspect of the invention, a change in T.sub.1 nuclear relaxation property of the water protons in the sample is correlated to the presence of the target biochemical molecular species.

Abstract: A method of detecting a target biochemical molecular species or at least one property correlated with the occurrence of the biochemical molecular species in a sample whose main component is water. The method includes: obtaining a sample whose main component is water; providing Functionalized Paramagnetic Particles (FPP) including a paramagnetic core and a moiety configured to interact with the target biochemical molecular species or with molecules collectively reporting on a property of the target biochemical molecular species; contacting the FPP with the sample; exposing the sample to an applied magnetic field; measuring a change in a nuclear relaxation property of the sample; and correlating the change to the presence of the biochemical molecular species in the sample or to at least one property correlated with the occurrence of the biochemical molecular species in the sample.

Abstract: A method of detecting a target biochemical molecular species or at least one property correlated with the occurrence of the biochemical molecular species in a sample whose main component is water. The method includes: obtaining a sample whose main component is water; providing Functionalized Paramagnetic Particles (FPP) including a paramagnetic core and a moiety configured to interact with the target biochemical molecular species or with molecules collectively reporting on a property of the target biochemical molecular species; contacting the FPP with the sample; exposing the sample to an applied magnetic field; measuring a change in a nuclear relaxation property of the sample; and correlating the change to the presence of the biochemical molecular species in the sample or to at least one property correlated with the occurrence of the biochemical molecular species in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to paramagnetic complexes based on lantanides or transition metals administered in the form of particulates internalysed by cells and whose presence in the cells can be detected by MRI techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides MRI detectable species of formula (I): Dp-Sn-Nm, wherein D is a MRI detectable moiety; S is a spacer; N is a molecule of a nutrient or pseudo-nutrient; n is 0 or an integer, m is an integer and p is an integer. These compounds are useful for internalising into tumor cells an amount of the MRI detectable moiety that is distinguishably higher than the amount internalised in normal healthy cells thus allowing the diagnosis of tumors. The internalisation of the MRI detectable moiety involves the nutrients or pseudo-nutrients transporting system. Preferred compounds of formula (I) are those wherein D is the chelated complex of a paramagnetic metal ion.