FA, employed as an imaging and cancer-targeting ligand because HCC cells (HepG2) overexpress FA receptors on their surfaces, was first selectively activated at its terminal free -COOH group as an N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester moiety (DCC as a coupling reagent) and then conjugate to HSA under alkaline conditions (TEA in DMSO). The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.