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Updated: May 14, 2026
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Biomolecular Imaging of Cellular Uptake of Nanoparticles using Multimodal Nonlinear Optical Microscopy
Published on: May 16, 2022
Nanodiamond imaging: a new molecular imaging approach
Alex N Hegyi1, Eli Yablonovitch
1Electrical Engineering Department, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. hegyi@eecs.berkeley.edu
Summary
A novel Nanodiamond Imaging technique uses optical detection and magnetic fields for high-resolution, sensitive molecular imaging. This non-radioactive method offers a promising new tool for biomedical research and potential clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Molecular Imaging
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Current molecular imaging techniques face limitations in sensitivity and spatial resolution.
- Nanodiamonds offer a non-toxic, taggable, and stable platform for molecular imaging applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate Nanodiamond Imaging (NDI), a novel molecular imaging modality.
- To demonstrate the potential of NDI for high-sensitivity and high-resolution imaging in biological systems.
Main Methods:
- Development of a prototype Nanodiamond Imaging system combining optical detection and magnetic field gradients.
- Utilizing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers within nanodiamonds as the imaging target.
- Testing the system by imaging an artificial target within chicken breast tissue.
Main Results:
- The NDI system demonstrated the ability to image nanodiamonds within biological tissue.
- Projected resolving power of <100 µm, surpassing existing techniques like PET, SPECT, and in-vivo optical imaging.
- Achieved sensitivity comparable to existing methods (better than 10 nM·mm(3)·Hz(-1/2)) with a stable, non-radioactive tracer.
Conclusions:
- Nanodiamond Imaging represents a significant advancement in molecular imaging technology.
- NDI's high sensitivity, spatial resolution, and use of non-toxic tracers position it as a valuable tool for biomedical research.
- Potential for future clinical applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.
