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Abstract

Compositions and methods of non-invasive diagnosis are provided. The imaging agents include a linking groups and a reactive entity capable of reaction with a reactive functionality to form a covalent bond therewith. The imaging agents may be in the form of a bifunctional anchor molecule. The bifunctional anchor molecules have a functional group capable of activation which, when activated, may form a covalent bond with a reactive functionality on a target protein present in the mammalian vascular system, thereby 'anchoring' the molecule to that target protein. The bifunctional anchors are also conjugated, either directly or indirectly, to a diagnostic agent of interest which provides the ability to diagnostically and non-invasively image the mammalian vascular space. Vascular targets include both cellular- and noncellular-associated proteins present in the mammalian vascular system. The methods find use for numerous applications arising from the ability to diagnostically image the mammalian vascular space over an extended period of time or to preferentially diagnostically image only a specific cell type or compartment of the mammalian vascular space.

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First Claim