Dr. Mohammad El-Dakdouki from the Department of Chemistry at Beirut Arab University was invited to present his research in the Department of Chemistry at the American University of Beirut on Wednesday October 10th, 2012. The seminar discussed the application of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as a platform for targeted anticancer drug delivery and tumor imaging by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The nanoparticles were coated with the naturally occurring polymer Hyaluronan (HA) that recognizes CD44 receptors over-expressed on many types of cancer, including ovarian tumors. The selectivity of the Doxorubicin-loaded, HA-coated nanoparticles to ovarian cancer cells was demonstrated, resulting in ten-fold enhancement in killing of cells compared to free drug. The promising in vitro observations translated well when efficacy was tested in vivo on nude mice bearing subcutaneous and intraperitoneal ovarian tumors. The success of therapy was assessed by MRI and bioluminescence imaging. The seminar was well received by the multidisciplinary audience that included faculty members and students from departments of chemistry, biology, and medicine.