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Published on: September 16, 2014
Increasing the luminescence of lanthanide complexes
Robert C Leif1, Lidia M Vallarino, Margie C Becker
1Newport Instruments, San Diego, CA, USA. rleif@rleif.com
Summary
This review details luminescent lanthanide ion complexes for cytometry. Two methods, columinescence and dry preparations, enhance their light emission via Resonance Energy Transfer Enhanced Luminescence (RETEL).
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biophysical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Lanthanide ion complexes offer narrow emission spectra suitable for cytometry.
- Standard fluorophores and quantum dots often exhibit higher luminescence intensity.
- Developing robust lanthanide labels requires strategies to enhance their intrinsic light emission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare chemical and physical properties of lanthanide complexes for cytometry.
- To describe luminescent lanthanide ion macrocyclic complexes (Quantum Dyes) and their characteristics.
- To present methods for enhancing the luminescence intensity of lanthanide ion complexes.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of luminescent lanthanide ion macrocyclic complexes (Quantum Dyes).
- Implementation of columinescence by adding a second lanthanide ion complex in micellar solutions.
- Production of dry preparations using evaporation of solutions with a second lanthanide ion complex or unbound antenna ligand.
Main Results:
- Quantum Dyes exhibit stable central lanthanide ions, accept energy transfer from ligands, and bind covalently to macromolecules.
- Two distinct methods were successfully employed to increase luminescence intensity.
- The Resonance Energy Transfer Enhanced Luminescence (RETEL) effect was identified as the key mechanism for luminescence enhancement.
Conclusions:
- Luminescent lanthanide ion complexes, particularly Quantum Dyes, are viable labels for cytometry.
- Columinescence and dry preparations effectively enhance lanthanide complex luminescence via RETEL.
- These advancements improve the utility of lanthanide labels in biological and chemical analyses.
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