Gas vesicles (GVs)

which are genetically encoded

naturally stable nanostructures

are freely permeable to gases in the surrounding media

making them have unique acoustic

magnetic and optical properties

then can be used as contrast agents for a variety of imaging methods. Through the modification of GVs gene

its properties can be improved and can be prepared for the composite materials that can be used for tumor diagnosis and treatment. In addition

it has great potential to develop GVs gene as acoustic reporter gene. The research progress of GVs based image contrast agents were reviewed in this article.