M.Tech. (Chemical Engineering) / There are a number of processes for the production of biodiesel. Homogenous catalysed processes are the most popular in large scale production due to short reaction times and less extreme reaction conditions. Despite this, homogenous catalysts have a number of disadvantages which include: high probability of soap formation in the presence of water and free fatty acids; they cannot be re-used since some of the catalyst is consumed during the reaction and the separation of the remaining catalyst from the product is difficult. In contrast, heterogeneous catalysts offer simplified production and purification processes. However, their reaction rates are low due to mass transfer restrictions. This work looked at the unsupported and supported nano-MgO as solid catalyst for soybean oil transesterification reaction. More research is being undertaken to overcome these low reaction rate problems. Nano-MgO was used since it has been considered as a bridge between homogenous and heterogeneous catalysts. It was supported to enable easy separation from the reaction products.

Mechanochemically synthesized cobalt oxide-based particles are employed for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4NP), a toxic water contaminant. This reduction produces 4‑aminophenol (4AP), a less toxic, pharmaceutical precursor for drugs such as paracetamol. The indicated reduction has been completed previously using noble metals and/or catalysts requiring extensive solvent use, and time as part of their preparation. The cost and synthesis of these noble metal catalysts hinders the sustainable broad scale application as an environmental remediation solution. The catalyst synthesis explored in this study utilizes the green chemistry technique of vibratory ball-milling and annealing cobalt oxide-based particles at different temperatures, producing unique agglomerates with differing surface structure and catalytic properties. Additional investigation into the mechanism through temperature, pH, and change in pressure over the reaction is completed. Further analysis shows that these catalysts are efficient for the reduction of 4-amino-3-nitrophenol and 2-amino-5-nitrophenol with unique catalytic rates. Finally, it is found that the application of this reduction in a flow process has potential for use on a broader scale.

<p>Whereas the effect of size and coating material on the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of iron oxide based contrast agents are well documented, the effect of these parameters on liver metabolism has never been investigated. The primary purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of iron oxide particle size and coating on the rate of liver clearance and particle degradation using a rat model. </p><p>The magnetic and relaxation properties of five different iron oxide contrast agents were determined prior to the onset of the animal studies. The R2* values and the T1-enhancing efficacy of the agents were also evaluated in blood using phantom models. The results of these studies indicated that the efficacy of these agents was matrix and frequency dependent. Correlations between the R2* values and the magnetic properties of the agents were established and a new parameter, Msat/r1, was created to enable better estimations of contrast agent T1-enhancing efficacy in blood. </p><p>The bio-distribution of one of the agents was also evaluated to assess the importance of sub-cellular particle distribution, using an isolated rat liver cell model. Phantom models were also used to verify that materials with magnetic properties similar to the particle breakdown products (ferritin/hemosiderin) may induce signal reduction when compartmentalized in a liver cell suspension. The results revealed that the cellular distribution of the agent did not influence the rate of particle degradation. This finding conflicted with current theory. Additionally, the study indicated that the compartmentalization of magnetic materials similar to ferritin may induce significant signal loss.</p><p>Methods enabling the accurate determination of contrast agent concentration in the liver were developed and validated using one of the agents. From these measurements the liver half-life of the agent was estimated and compared to the rate of liver clearance, as determined from the evolution of the effective transverse relaxation rate (R2*) in rat liver. The results indicate that the liver R2* enhancement persisted at time points when the concentration of contrast agent present in the liver was below method detection limits. The prolonged R2* enhancement was believed to be a result of the compartmentalisation of the particle breakdown products within the liver cells. </p><p>Finally, the liver clearance and degradation rates of the five different iron oxide particles in rat liver were evaluated. The results revealed that for materials with similar iron oxide cores and particle sizes, the rate of liver clearance was affected by the coating material present. Materials with similar coating, but different sizes, exhibited similar rates of liver clearance.</p><p>In conclusion, the results of this work strongly suggest that coating material of the iron oxide particles may contribute significantly to the rate of iron oxide particle clearance and degradation in rat liver cells.</p>

Whereas the effect of size and coating material on the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of iron oxide based contrast agents are well documented, the effect of these parameters on liver metabolism has never been investigated. The primary purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of iron oxide particle size and coating on the rate of liver clearance and particle degradation using a rat model. The magnetic and relaxation properties of five different iron oxide contrast agents were determined prior to the onset of the animal studies. The R2* values and the T1-enhancing efficacy of the agents were also evaluated in blood using phantom models. The results of these studies indicated that the efficacy of these agents was matrix and frequency dependent. Correlations between the R2* values and the magnetic properties of the agents were established and a new parameter, Msat/r1, was created to enable better estimations of contrast agent T1-enhancing efficacy in blood. The bio-distribution of one of the agents was also evaluated to assess the importance of sub-cellular particle distribution, using an isolated rat liver cell model. Phantom models were also used to verify that materials with magnetic properties similar to the particle breakdown products (ferritin/hemosiderin) may induce signal reduction when compartmentalized in a liver cell suspension. The results revealed that the cellular distribution of the agent did not influence the rate of particle degradation. This finding conflicted with current theory. Additionally, the study indicated that the compartmentalization of magnetic materials similar to ferritin may induce significant signal loss. Methods enabling the accurate determination of contrast agent concentration in the liver were developed and validated using one of the agents. From these measurements the liver half-life of the agent was estimated and compared to the rate of liver clearance, as determined from the evolution of the effective transverse relaxation rate (R2*) in rat liver. The results indicate that the liver R2* enhancement persisted at time points when the concentration of contrast agent present in the liver was below method detection limits. The prolonged R2* enhancement was believed to be a result of the compartmentalisation of the particle breakdown products within the liver cells. Finally, the liver clearance and degradation rates of the five different iron oxide particles in rat liver were evaluated. The results revealed that for materials with similar iron oxide cores and particle sizes, the rate of liver clearance was affected by the coating material present. Materials with similar coating, but different sizes, exhibited similar rates of liver clearance. In conclusion, the results of this work strongly suggest that coating material of the iron oxide particles may contribute significantly to the rate of iron oxide particle clearance and degradation in rat liver cells.

Complex or smart fluids, made of evenly and stably suspended nanoparticles, have been an object of considerable research in the last decade due to their promising applications in a number of applications such as micro-electronic cooling, high power demands in nuclear plants, smaller and more efficient heat exchangers, oil recovery, and transportation. Nanofluids consist of typically less than 100nm sized particles dispersed in base fluids. The heat transfer characteristics of several nano-oxide suspensions in pool boiling with a suspended heating NiChrome wire have been analyzed. The pH value of the nanosuspensions is important from the point of view that it determines the stability of the particles and their mutual interactions towards the suspended heated wire. Heat transfer in silica nanofluids at different acidity and base is measured for various ionic concentrations in a pool boiling experiment. Nanosilica suspension increases the critical heat flux by up to 300% compared to conventional fluids. The l0 nm particles possess a thicker double diffuse layer compared to 20 M particles. The catalytic properties of nanofluids decrease in the presence of salts, allowing the particles to cluster and minimize the potential increase in heat transfer. Nanofluids in a strong electrolyte, i.e., in high ionic concentration, allow a higher critical heat flux than in buffer solutions because of the difference in surface area. The formation and surface structure of the deposition affect the thermal properties of the liquid. When there is no particle deposition on the wire, the nanofluid increases CHF by about 50% within the uncertainty limits, regardless of pH of the base fluid or particle size. The extent of oxidation on the wire impacts CHF, and is influenced by the chemical composition of nanofluids in buffer solutions. The boiling regime is further extended to higher heat flux when there is agglomeration on the wire. This agglomeration allows high heat transfer through inter-agglomerate pores, resulting in a nearly 3-fold increase in burnout heat flux. The pool boiling heat transfer has been even higher (- up to 4 times that of the base fluid) for Double Walled Carbon Nanotubes (DWNTs). A comparison study between Single and Double Walled Carbon Nanotube suspensions has been performed. A closed flow loop has been designed and fabricated to study the thermal transport characteristics of nanosilica suspensions in heated flow. The heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop data are provided for laminar and turbulent regimes (2000

The cell infiltration into the myocardial infarction (MI) site was studied using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with micrometer-sized iron oxide particles (MPIO) as cell labeling probes. MI is a leading cause of global death and disability. However, the roles of inflammatory cells and stem cells during the post-MI remodeling and repair processes are yet to be discovered. This study was to develop noninvasive MRI techniques to monitor and quantify the cellular infiltration into the MI site. MPIO can produce pronounced signal attenuation at regions of interest in MRI. Therefore, cells labeled with these particles can be detected after they are activated and home to the MI site. In the first project, MPIO of various doses were injected into the mouse blood stream 7 days before the MI surgery. Serial MRI was performed at various time points post-MI to monitor the inflammatory cell infiltration into the MI site. Significant signal attenuation caused by labeled cells, in particular macrophages, was observed at the MI site. The study suggests an optimal imaging window should be from 7 to 14 days post-MI, during which the MR signal was inversely proportional to the MPIO dose. The study also suggests an optimal MPIO dose should be between 9.1 and 14.5 µg Fe/g body weight. In the second project, mesenchymal stem cells labeled with MPIO were transplanted into the mouse bone marrow 14 days before the MI surgery. Serial MRI was performed at various time points post-MI to monitor the labeled cells, which mobilized from the bone marrow and homed to the MI site. All the MRI findings were further confirmed by histology. In addition to revealing the characteristics of cell infiltration during MI, this study also provides noninvasive MRI techniques to monitor and potentially quantify labeled cells at the pathological site. The technique can also be used to investigate the function of cells engaged in MI and to test the effect on cell infiltration caused by any treatment strategies.

Ausgangspunkt dieser Arbeit war die Frage, inwieweit die zur Herstellung von Compositmaterialien aus leitfähigen Polymerfilmen (Polythiophen, Polypyrrol) und Metalloxidschichten (anodisch oxidiertes Titan, chemisch oxidiertes Silicium bzw. Aluminium) entwickelte Präparationsmethode auf die Herstellung hybrider Core - Shell - Partikel (Core: Metalloxidpartikel; Shell: leitfähiges Polymer) übertragbar ist. Die erfolgreiche Beschichtung dispergierter Oxidpartikel mit leitfähigen Poly- meren zeigte, dass nicht nur eine analoge Verfahrensweise (Adsorption des Monomers auf der Substratoberfläche und anschließende Zugabe des Oxidationsmittels) verwendet werden konnte, sondern dass bei der Pulverbeschichtung infolge der großen spezifischen Oberfläche der Materialien auch ohne Einsatz spezieller Haftvermittler, hervorragende Schichtqualitäten (hohe Haftfestigkeit, hoher Be- deckungsgrad) erreicht wurden, und die auf diesem Wege hergestellten Verbundmaterialien in Pulverform in beliebiger Menge, Partikelgröße und Zusam-mensetzung verfügbar waren. Der durch die Verkapselung der Oxidteilchen mit intrinsich leitfähigen Polymeren bewirkte enge Kontakt zwischen Polymer- und Oxidphase und die auf diesem Wege realisierte Oberflächenmodifizierung führte zu einem im Vergleich zu den reinen Komponenten wesentlich veränderten Eigenschaftsspektrum. Durch die Herstellung von Compositen waren die leitfähigen Polymere leichter dispergierbar, und konnten kathaphoretisch in guter Qualität, auch auf großen Substratflächen abgeschieden werden. / Starting with the question about the possibility of producing composites based on conducting polymer films (polythiophene, polypyrrole) and metal oxide layers (anodically oxidized titanium, chemical oxidized silicon or aluminium) it was the goal of this work to transfer and modify this method for the preparation of hybrid core - shell - particles (core: metal oxide particle; shell: conducting polymer). By the successfully covering of dispersed oxide particles it was shown, that not only an analogous procedure (adsorption of the monomer on the substrate surface and the following addition of an oxidant) can be used, but that in the case of powder covering because of the high specific surface area of the oxide powders, outstanding layer qualities without using adhesion promotors can be produced. Following this way, powder-like compound materials can be ordered and designed in any quantity, particle size and composition. Through the encapsulation of the oxide particles with intrinsic conducting polymers a narrow contact between the polymer and the oxide phase and a surface modification were made by a very simple way. By this surface modification a totally different behaviour of the composites, compared to their components was realized. The producing of composites allowes a better dispersibility of conducting polymers and their cathaphoretically deposition with a good quality, also on larger substrate surfaces.

Mesenchymale Stammzellen (MSC) werden bereits in klinischen Studien zur Behandlung verschiedener Krankheiten eingesetzt. Über deren Wirkmechanismus und Verbleib nach Applikation ist jedoch noch wenig bekannt. Die in vivo-Nachverfolgung markierter MSC mittels Magnetresonanztomographie stellt eine mögliche Methode zur Erlangung weiterer Erkenntnisse dar. Zu diesem Zweck können die MSC mittels superparamagnetischen Eisenoxid (SPIO)-Partikeln markiert werden. In dieser Arbeit wurden 3 verschiedene SPIO-Produkte zur Markierung oviner und equiner MSC verwendet: Endorem™, Resovist® und Molday ION Rhodamine B™. Die Produkte wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Einflüsse auf die biologischen Eigenschaften der MSC, ihrer Markierungseffizienz und –selektivität verglichen. Desweiteren wurde die produktspezifische magnetresonanztomographische Nachverfolgbarkeit der SPIO-markierten MSC untersucht. Weiterführendes Ziel war die Selektion des am besten geeigneten SPIO-Produktes für die Verwendung in einem in vivo-Großtierversuch zur magnetresonanztomographischen Nachverfolgung SPIO-markierter MSC nach Applikation in arthrotische Gelenke. Die MSC wurden dazu aus dem Knochenmark von je 5 gesunden Schafen und Pferden isoliert, bis zur Passage 4 (P4) expandiert und schließlich mit den verschiedenen SPIO-Produkten markiert. Unmarkierte MSC der gleichen Tiere dienten zur Kontrolle. Proliferationsvermögen sowie tripotentes Differenzierungspotential wurden in vitro untersucht. Zur Evaluierung von Markierungsselektivität und -effizienz der SPIO-Produkte wurden die MSC ab der P4 bis zur P7 wöchentlich passagiert. Ein semiquantitatives histologisches Auswertungssystem basierend auf der Preußisch Blau-Färbung sowie T2*w-GRE-Sequenzen an einem 0,5T-MRT-System wurden zur Evaluierung genutzt. Markierungsselektivität bezeichnete die intra- oder extrazelluläre Lokalisation der SPIO-Partikel. Markierungseffizienz beschrieb die Menge intrazellulär vorhandener SPIO-Partikel. Es wurde gezeigt, dass sich ovine und equine MSC mit allen 3 untersuchten SPIO-Produkten erfolgreich markieren ließen. Die Ergebnisse der in vitro-Untersuchungen ergaben keine Unterschiede zwischen SPIO-markierten und unmarkierten MSC hinsichtlich des Proliferationsvermögens, der adipogenen oder osteogenen Differenzierungsfähigkeit. Jedoch wurde eine deutliche Verminderung des chondrogenen Differenzierungspotentials SPIO-markierter MSC beobachtet, welche von der Menge intrazellulär vorhandener SPIO-Partikel und somit von der Markierungseffizienz abhängig war. Zum Zeitpunkt der initialen Markierung konnte nur Molday ION Rhodamine B™ eine selektive und effiziente Zellmarkierung gewährleisten. Mit Endorem™ konnte eine selektive, jedoch keine ausreichend effiziente Zellmarkierung erreicht werden. Resovist® dagegen bewirkte zwar eine effiziente, aber sehr unselektive initiale Zellmarkierung: Mittels Preußisch Blau-Färbung wurde gezeigt, dass große Mengen von SPIO-Partikeln nur extrazellulär anhefteten. Die 3 verschiedenen SPIO-Produkte führten weiterhin zu unterschiedlich starken hypointensen MRT-Signalen der markierten MSC, welche im Verlauf der 3-wöchigen Versuchsdauer bei allen 3 Produkten stetig abnahmen. Unmarkierte MSC waren isointens, also mittels MRT nicht darstellbar und daher nicht nachverfolgbar. Stets verursachten Resovist®-markierte MSC das stärkste hypointense MRT-Signal, gefolgt von Molday ION Rhodamine B™ und Endorem™. Resovist®-markierte MSC konnten mittels MRT bei beiden Spezies über den längsten Zeitraum nachverfolgt werden (ovine MSC bis 16 Tage, equine MSC bis 23 Tage nach Markierung). Aufgrund der exzellenten initialen Markierungseigenschaften (hohe Markierungsselektivität und –effizienz sowie gute Nachverfolgbarkeit) eignet sich Molday ION Rhodamine B™ besonders gut für die SPIO-Markierung von MSC zur Nachverfolgung mittels MRT. Molday ION Rhodamine B™ verspricht somit eine erfolgreiche Anwendung in einem in vivo-Versuch zur magnetresonsztomographischen Nachverfolgung von MSC nach Applikation in arthrotische Gelenke. / Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are already used in clinical studies for treatment of different diseases. However, their mechanism of action and fate after application are still not fully understood. In vivo tracking of labeled MSC via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a possible method to achive further knowledge. For this purpose MSC can be labelled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles. For this study 3 different SPIO products were employed for labelling of ovine and equine MSC: Endorem™, Resovist®,, and Molday ION Rhodamine B™. The products were compared in terms of their influence on biologic behaviour of the MSC, their labelling efficiency, and selectivity. Furthermore, product specific magnetic resonance traceability of SPIO labelled MSC was evaluated. Final aim was the selection of the most suitable SPIO product to be used in an in vivo large animal study employing MRI tracking of SPIO labelled MSC after application into osteoarthritic joints. MSC therefore, were isolated from bone marrow of each 5 healthy sheep and horses, expanded up to passage 4 (p4), and labelled by the different SPIO products. Unlabelled MSC from the same animals served as control. Proliferation potential and tripotent differentiation capacities were assessed in vitro. For evaluation of labelling selectivity and efficiency of the SPIO products MSC were passaged weekly from p4 up to p7. Semiquantitative histological scoring based on Prussian blue staining and images using T2*w GRE sequences in a 0.5T MRI system were used. Labelling selectivity describes the intra- or extracellular localisation of the SPIO particles. Labelling efficiency describes the amount of intracellular SPIO particles. It was shown that ovine and equine MSC could be successfully labelled by all 3 evaluated SPIO products. The results of the in vitro experiments did not show differences between labelled and unlabelled MSC in terms of proliferation potential, adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation capacities. However, an inhibited chondrogenic differentiation capacity of SPIO labelled MSC was observed, which was dependend on the amount of intracellular SPIO particles and therefore, also on labelling efficiency. At the time of initial labelling, only Molday ION Rhodamine B™ showed selective and efficient cell labelling. With Endorem™ selective, but not efficient cell labelling was achieved. Resovist®, in contrast, caused efficient but very unselective initial cell labelling: By Prussian blue staining it was shown that large amounts of SPIO particles were attached extracellularly. These 3 different SPIO products led to variable hypointense MRI signals of the labelled MSC which decreased in all 3 products during the 3 week study period. Unlabelled MSC were isointense, thus not visible, and therefore, not traceable using MRI. At every point of time, Resovist® labelled MSC resulted in the most hypointense MR signals, followed by Molday ION Rhodamine B™ and Endorem™. Resovist® labelled MSC were traced over the longest time span (ovine MSC until 16 days, equine MSC until 23 days post labelling). Due to excellent initial labelling properties (high labelling efficiency and selectivity, good traceability) Molday ION Rhodamine B™ suits best for SPIO labelling of MSC to be tracked by MRI. Molday ION Rhodamine B™ therefore, promises a successful use in an in vivo study using MRI for MSC tracking after application into osteoarthritic joints.

Doctoral thesis was focused on preparing of new advanced ODS steels for use in heavy metal liquids enviroments. Possibility of new course for creating oxide dispersion in microstructure was verified by the course of internal oxidation of elements. By the internal oxidation method were prepared new ODS steels strengthened by complex oxides which were created by elements of IIIB and IVB group of elements. Based on analysis of damage ODS steels in LBE were designed surface protection of ODS steel by the oxide layer. The ODS steel protected by oxide layer was subjected to a corrosion test in LBE. For the experiments were chosen class of chromium steels: ferritic-martensitic steel 9Cr1WMnVTa and ferritic steels 14CrWTi and 17Cr1Mo. Steels without oxide dispersion and steel strenghtened by the dispersion based on Y-Ti-O oxides were prepared. On the steels were made series of mechanic tests which should reveal the effectivity of oxide dispersion on the strenght of steel prepared by the internal oxidation method and by the direct addition of oxide elements. It was found that significantly harder oxide material couldn't be fully disrupted through the mechanical alloying and fine oxide dispersion couldn't be created. There was verified fine oxide dispersion could be created by the internal oxidation method and by the direct adding of oxide elements. Same kind of steels strenghtened by new kind of complex oxides based on Y, Ce, Hf, La, Sc and Zr were prepared. The chemical analyses have proven that all added elements could created complex oxide by the reaction with yttrium. The computational analyses for observing of matrix influence and oxide phase influence on strenghtening of steels were performed. These computational analyses were based on microstructural analyses of ODS steels. There was found that the oxide particles could very effectively improve strenght of steels at room temperature and especialy at high temperature. Based on corrosion tests of 14Cr ODS steel in liquid Pb and LBE enviroment were designed surface protection of ODS steel. The effectiveness of protective layer was verified by the high temperature corrosion test of PM2000 in LBE. No damage of oxide layer was observed although Pb and Bi diffused through protective layer.

Mesenchymale Stammzellen (MSC) werden bereits in klinischen Studien zur Behandlung verschiedener Krankheiten eingesetzt. Über deren Wirkmechanismus und Verbleib nach Applikation ist jedoch noch wenig bekannt. Die in vivo-Nachverfolgung markierter MSC mittels Magnetresonanztomographie stellt eine mögliche Methode zur Erlangung weiterer Erkenntnisse dar. Zu diesem Zweck können die MSC mittels superparamagnetischen Eisenoxid (SPIO)-Partikeln markiert werden. In dieser Arbeit wurden 3 verschiedene SPIO-Produkte zur Markierung oviner und equiner MSC verwendet: Endorem™, Resovist® und Molday ION Rhodamine B™. Die Produkte wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Einflüsse auf die biologischen Eigenschaften der MSC, ihrer Markierungseffizienz und –selektivität verglichen. Desweiteren wurde die produktspezifische magnetresonanztomographische Nachverfolgbarkeit der SPIO-markierten MSC untersucht. Weiterführendes Ziel war die Selektion des am besten geeigneten SPIO-Produktes für die Verwendung in einem in vivo-Großtierversuch zur magnetresonanztomographischen Nachverfolgung SPIO-markierter MSC nach Applikation in arthrotische Gelenke. Die MSC wurden dazu aus dem Knochenmark von je 5 gesunden Schafen und Pferden isoliert, bis zur Passage 4 (P4) expandiert und schließlich mit den verschiedenen SPIO-Produkten markiert. Unmarkierte MSC der gleichen Tiere dienten zur Kontrolle. Proliferationsvermögen sowie tripotentes Differenzierungspotential wurden in vitro untersucht. Zur Evaluierung von Markierungsselektivität und -effizienz der SPIO-Produkte wurden die MSC ab der P4 bis zur P7 wöchentlich passagiert. Ein semiquantitatives histologisches Auswertungssystem basierend auf der Preußisch Blau-Färbung sowie T2*w-GRE-Sequenzen an einem 0,5T-MRT-System wurden zur Evaluierung genutzt. Markierungsselektivität bezeichnete die intra- oder extrazelluläre Lokalisation der SPIO-Partikel. Markierungseffizienz beschrieb die Menge intrazellulär vorhandener SPIO-Partikel. Es wurde gezeigt, dass sich ovine und equine MSC mit allen 3 untersuchten SPIO-Produkten erfolgreich markieren ließen. Die Ergebnisse der in vitro-Untersuchungen ergaben keine Unterschiede zwischen SPIO-markierten und unmarkierten MSC hinsichtlich des Proliferationsvermögens, der adipogenen oder osteogenen Differenzierungsfähigkeit. Jedoch wurde eine deutliche Verminderung des chondrogenen Differenzierungspotentials SPIO-markierter MSC beobachtet, welche von der Menge intrazellulär vorhandener SPIO-Partikel und somit von der Markierungseffizienz abhängig war. Zum Zeitpunkt der initialen Markierung konnte nur Molday ION Rhodamine B™ eine selektive und effiziente Zellmarkierung gewährleisten. Mit Endorem™ konnte eine selektive, jedoch keine ausreichend effiziente Zellmarkierung erreicht werden. Resovist® dagegen bewirkte zwar eine effiziente, aber sehr unselektive initiale Zellmarkierung: Mittels Preußisch Blau-Färbung wurde gezeigt, dass große Mengen von SPIO-Partikeln nur extrazellulär anhefteten. Die 3 verschiedenen SPIO-Produkte führten weiterhin zu unterschiedlich starken hypointensen MRT-Signalen der markierten MSC, welche im Verlauf der 3-wöchigen Versuchsdauer bei allen 3 Produkten stetig abnahmen. Unmarkierte MSC waren isointens, also mittels MRT nicht darstellbar und daher nicht nachverfolgbar. Stets verursachten Resovist®-markierte MSC das stärkste hypointense MRT-Signal, gefolgt von Molday ION Rhodamine B™ und Endorem™. Resovist®-markierte MSC konnten mittels MRT bei beiden Spezies über den längsten Zeitraum nachverfolgt werden (ovine MSC bis 16 Tage, equine MSC bis 23 Tage nach Markierung). Aufgrund der exzellenten initialen Markierungseigenschaften (hohe Markierungsselektivität und –effizienz sowie gute Nachverfolgbarkeit) eignet sich Molday ION Rhodamine B™ besonders gut für die SPIO-Markierung von MSC zur Nachverfolgung mittels MRT. Molday ION Rhodamine B™ verspricht somit eine erfolgreiche Anwendung in einem in vivo-Versuch zur magnetresonsztomographischen Nachverfolgung von MSC nach Applikation in arthrotische Gelenke. / Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are already used in clinical studies for treatment of different diseases. However, their mechanism of action and fate after application are still not fully understood. In vivo tracking of labeled MSC via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a possible method to achive further knowledge. For this purpose MSC can be labelled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles. For this study 3 different SPIO products were employed for labelling of ovine and equine MSC: Endorem™, Resovist®,, and Molday ION Rhodamine B™. The products were compared in terms of their influence on biologic behaviour of the MSC, their labelling efficiency, and selectivity. Furthermore, product specific magnetic resonance traceability of SPIO labelled MSC was evaluated. Final aim was the selection of the most suitable SPIO product to be used in an in vivo large animal study employing MRI tracking of SPIO labelled MSC after application into osteoarthritic joints. MSC therefore, were isolated from bone marrow of each 5 healthy sheep and horses, expanded up to passage 4 (p4), and labelled by the different SPIO products. Unlabelled MSC from the same animals served as control. Proliferation potential and tripotent differentiation capacities were assessed in vitro. For evaluation of labelling selectivity and efficiency of the SPIO products MSC were passaged weekly from p4 up to p7. Semiquantitative histological scoring based on Prussian blue staining and images using T2*w GRE sequences in a 0.5T MRI system were used. Labelling selectivity describes the intra- or extracellular localisation of the SPIO particles. Labelling efficiency describes the amount of intracellular SPIO particles. It was shown that ovine and equine MSC could be successfully labelled by all 3 evaluated SPIO products. The results of the in vitro experiments did not show differences between labelled and unlabelled MSC in terms of proliferation potential, adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation capacities. However, an inhibited chondrogenic differentiation capacity of SPIO labelled MSC was observed, which was dependend on the amount of intracellular SPIO particles and therefore, also on labelling efficiency. At the time of initial labelling, only Molday ION Rhodamine B™ showed selective and efficient cell labelling. With Endorem™ selective, but not efficient cell labelling was achieved. Resovist®, in contrast, caused efficient but very unselective initial cell labelling: By Prussian blue staining it was shown that large amounts of SPIO particles were attached extracellularly. These 3 different SPIO products led to variable hypointense MRI signals of the labelled MSC which decreased in all 3 products during the 3 week study period. Unlabelled MSC were isointense, thus not visible, and therefore, not traceable using MRI. At every point of time, Resovist® labelled MSC resulted in the most hypointense MR signals, followed by Molday ION Rhodamine B™ and Endorem™. Resovist® labelled MSC were traced over the longest time span (ovine MSC until 16 days, equine MSC until 23 days post labelling). Due to excellent initial labelling properties (high labelling efficiency and selectivity, good traceability) Molday ION Rhodamine B™ suits best for SPIO labelling of MSC to be tracked by MRI. Molday ION Rhodamine B™ therefore, promises a successful use in an in vivo study using MRI for MSC tracking after application into osteoarthritic joints.