Imaging nanoparticles in cells by nanomechanical holography

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Nanomaterials offer promising medical applications, particularly in drug delivery.
• Concerns exist regarding the adverse effects and cytotoxicity of nanomaterials.
• Inhalation of nanoparticles is a significant concern due to their aerosolization potential.

Discussion:

• Scanning near field ultrasonic holography (SNUH) allows visualization of nanoparticles at nanometre resolution within cellular structures.
• This study demonstrates the successful application of SNUH to probe mouse cells exposed to single-walled carbon nanohorns.
• The presence of nanohorns within cells was confirmed using micro Raman spectroscopy.

Key Insights:

• SNUH effectively visualizes engineered nanomaterials, such as single-walled carbon nanohorns, inside biological cells.
• The technique provides nanometre-resolution imaging, crucial for understanding nanomaterial-cell interactions.
• Combined with micro Raman spectroscopy, SNUH offers robust confirmation of nanomaterial presence and localization.

Outlook:

• SNUH is a valuable tool for advancing research in nanomedicine and nanotoxicology.
• Further applications of SNUH can elucidate the behavior and impact of various nanomaterials in biological systems.
• This imaging modality will accelerate the development of safe and effective nanomedical technologies.