Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
07:13
Biomolecular Imaging of Cellular Uptake of Nanoparticles using Multimodal Nonlinear Optical Microscopy
Published on: May 16, 2022
Dual-modality, dual-functional nanoprobes for cellular and molecular imaging
Jyothi U Menon1, Praveen K Gulaka, Madalyn A McKay
1Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA.
Theranostics
|February 6, 2013
Summary
Researchers developed dual-modality nano-probes for tracking transplanted cells. These probes combine fluorescence and MRI for imaging cell movement and health, offering a promising tool for cellular therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Imaging
Background:
- Non-invasive imaging is crucial for evaluating cellular therapies post-transplantation.
- Single-modality imaging may provide insufficient or inaccurate data for cell tracking.
- Multi-modal imaging offers enhanced sensitivity, resolution, and visualization for in vivo studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To formulate Nile Red-doped hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) nanoemulsions as dual-modality (MRI/Fluorescence) and dual-functional (oximetry/detection) nanoprobes.
- To assess the potential of these nanoprobes for cellular and molecular imaging applications.
Main Methods:
- HMDSO nanoemulsions were prepared using HS15-lecithin surfactant.
- Particle size and stability were analyzed using dynamic light scattering and incubation in human plasma.
- Cellular uptake and localization were studied in MCF7-GFP cells.
- In vitro imaging capabilities (fluorescence and MRI-based oximetry) were demonstrated.
Main Results:
- HMDSO nanoemulsions exhibited an average radius of 71±39 nm and stability in human plasma for 24 hours.
- Nanoprobes localized in the cytosol of MCF7-GFP cells within 18 minutes.
- Successful in vitro fluorescence imaging and MRI-based pO(2) measurements in cells were achieved.
Conclusions:
- Nile Red-doped HMDSO nanoemulsions function as effective dual-modality nanoprobes.
- These nanoprobes show potential for non-invasive in vivo cellular and molecular imaging.
- The dual-functional nature offers comprehensive cellular evaluation for therapeutic applications.
