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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
11:56
Differential Labeling of Cell-surface and Internalized Proteins after Antibody Feeding of Live Cultured Neurons
Published on: February 12, 2014
Live cell surface labeling with fluorescent Ag nanocluster conjugates.
Junhua Yu1, Sungmoon Choi, Chris I Richards
1School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Photochemistry and Photobiology
|September 4, 2008
Summary
DNA-encapsulated silver nanoclusters offer a brighter, more photostable alternative to traditional biolabeling agents. These stable nanomaterials are ideal for high-resolution imaging of live cells at both bulk and single-molecule levels.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Imaging
Background:
- Organic dyes and semiconductor quantum dots are common biolabeling agents.
- Limitations exist with current labeling technologies, including photostability and size.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore DNA-encapsulated silver nanoclusters as novel biolabeling agents.
- To evaluate their performance compared to existing technologies.
Main Methods:
- Conjugation of DNA-encapsulated silver nanoclusters to proteins.
- Fluorescence microscopy of live cells stained with the nanoclusters.
Main Results:
- Silver nanoclusters demonstrated high brightness and photostability.
- Effective labeling of live cell surfaces was achieved at bulk and single-molecule levels.
- Nanoclusters are significantly smaller than quantum dots.
Conclusions:
- DNA-encapsulated silver nanoclusters are promising alternatives to organic dyes and quantum dots for biolabeling.
- Their properties enable advanced applications in live cell imaging and molecular studies.
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