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Updated: May 27, 2026
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An Integrated System to Remotely Trigger Intracellular Signal Transduction by Upconversion Nanoparticle-mediated Kinase Photoactivation
Published on: August 30, 2017
Cellular uptake mediated off/on responsive near-infrared fluorescent nanoparticles
Aniello Palma1, Luis A Alvarez, Dimitri Scholz
1Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|November 15, 2011
Summary
Researchers developed novel near-infrared nanoparticles that switch fluorescence on after cellular uptake. This enables real-time imaging of endocytosis without background interference.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Fluorescence imaging is crucial for studying biological processes but struggles with background noise.
- Distinguishing specific signals from background emission limits imaging to specific time points.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a "switchable" fluorescence system for real-time imaging of cellular processes.
- To overcome limitations of background interference in fluorescence imaging.
Main Methods:
- Designed near-infrared (NIR) "off-to-on" switchable nanoparticle constructs.
- Utilized cellular organelle encapsulation to trigger fluorescence.
- Investigated endocytosis as a model cellular process.
Main Results:
- Developed nanoparticles that are nonfluorescent in extracellular environments.
- Demonstrated fluorescence "switching on" upon cellular uptake and organelle encapsulation.
- Enabled continuous, real-time imaging of endocytosis without background signal.
Conclusions:
- The developed switchable nanoparticles offer a novel approach for real-time biological imaging.
- This technology can overcome background limitations in fluorescence microscopy.
- Potential applications in advanced diagnostics and therapeutics.
