The Kircher laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York, USA, is developing novel nanoprobes for molecular imaging, image-guided therapy and theranostics. Its ultimate goal is to develop a universal technology that allows precise determination of the actual spread of a tumour in vivo. Currently surgeons cannot see the microscopic extent of the tumour during a procedure, which is essential information for tumour removal and avoiding excess tissue excision. {read more here}