Recent advances with iron oxide/gold （Fe3O4/Au） composite nanoparticles （CNPs） in dual-modality magnetic reso- nance （MR） and computed tomography （CT） imaging applications are reviewed. The synthesis and assembly of＂dumbbell- like＂ and ＂core/shell＂ FeaO4/Au CNPs is introduced. Potential applications of some developed Fe3O4/Au CNPs as contrast agents for dual-mode MR/CT imaging applications are described in detail.
