Self-assembled fluorescent organic nanoparticles for live-cell imaging.
Irén Fischer1, Katja Petkau-Milroy, Yvonne L Dorland
1Laboratory of Functional Organic Materials and Devices and Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven (The Netherlands).
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|November 28, 2013
Summary
New fluorescent organic nanoparticles enable efficient cellular imaging and flow cytometry. A single amino group per ten oligomers is sufficient for charge-mediated cellular uptake, demonstrating low toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Development of advanced fluorescent nanoparticles for biological applications.
- Need for efficient and non-toxic cellular imaging agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create novel fluorescent, cell-permeable organic nanoparticles.
- To investigate charge-mediated cellular uptake mechanisms.
- To assess the suitability of these nanoparticles for cellular imaging and flow cytometry.
Main Methods:
- Self-assembly of π-conjugated oligomers into nanoparticles.
- Tuning nanoparticle properties by controlling amino group density.
- Evaluating cellular uptake efficiency and toxicity.
- Testing nanoparticles in one- and two-photon microscopy and flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- Developed fluorescent organic nanoparticles with high absorption and quantum yield.
- Achieved tuneable amino group density for controlled cellular uptake.
- Demonstrated that a single amino group per ten oligomers is sufficient for uptake.
- Confirmed non-toxicity and suitability for one- and two-photon imaging and flow cytometry.
- Observed very efficient cellular uptake.
Conclusions:
- Successfully developed novel, non-toxic fluorescent organic nanoparticles.
- Established a straightforward self-assembly protocol for controlled nanoparticle generation.
- Showcased the potential of these nanoparticles for advanced cellular imaging and diagnostics.
