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Updated: May 22, 2026

A Novel Technique for Generating and Observing Chemiluminescence in a Biological Setting
Published on: March 9, 2017
A novel luminescent bifunctional POSS as a molecular platform for biomedical applications
Francesco Olivero1, Filippo Renò, Fabio Carniato
1Dipartimento di Scienze e Innovazione Tecnologica, Centro Interdisciplinare Nano-Sistemi, Università del Piemonte Orientale Amedeo Avogadro Viale T. Michel 11, 15121 Alessandria, Italy.
Abstract:
A novel luminescent polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) containing in the structure a fluorescein derivative molecule and a carboxylic functionality, suitable to anchor different organic compounds (dyes, markers, drugs, contrast agents, …), was successfully synthesized and characterized in this manuscript by a multidisciplinary approach. An emission enhancement of the dye of ca. four times was found after reaction with POSS, rendering this new hybrid compound a promising contrast agent for optical imaging. In vitro tests on tumoral HeLa cells demonstrated that the luminescent POSS (namely POSS_F), here described, is able to be taken up in the cell cytosol by an efficient and selective process. Its high chemical versatility and peculiar properties could render this novel bifunctional POSS a molecular platform for biomedical applications.
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