Over the last 20 years, my group has investigated novel nanoparticle agents for Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Near Infra-red imaging (NIR). All these agents have shared key attributes: they are stable assemblies of molecules with long-circulating properties, minimal toxicity, and predominantly hepatic clearance. This enables their use in blood pool imaging, cardiovascular characterization, and tumor characterization. More recently, we have demonstrated the avid passage of these particles into the cerebrospinal fluid enabling certain CNS imaging, and their lack of placental penetration, enabling maternal imaging while sparing the fetus from exposure. Additionally, the enormous signal enhancements possible with a particle agent compared to a free molecule, enable molecular imaging in vivo using MRI, without the need for nuclear readouts such as PET or SPECT. In this presentation, Ananth Annapragada, PhD, will describe the conception and development of these agents, and their application in diverse pathologies including pulmonary embolism, atherosclerosis, various cancers, Alzheimer’s disease and placenta accreta.