Light sheet microscopy and SrAl₂ O₄ nanoparticles codoped with Eu²⁺ /Dy³⁺ ions for cancer cell tagging

Light sheet optical microscopy on strontium aluminate nanoparticles (SrAl₂ O₄ NPs)1 codoped with Eu²⁺ and Dy³⁺ was used for cancer cell tagging and tracking. The nanoparticles were synthesized by urea-assisted combustion with optimized percentage values of the 2 codoping rare-earth ions for cell viability and for lower cytotoxic effects. The optical properties of these materials showed an excitation wide range of wavelengths (λ_exc = 254-460 nm), a broad emission band (λ_em = 475-575 nm) with the maximum centered wavelength at 525 nm and a half lifetime within the seconds regime. The feasibility to measure the nanoparticle luminescence under the selective plane illumination configuration was studied by immersing the nanoparticles in 1% Agarose. The potential applicability of the synthesized nanophosphors for cancer cell tagging was demonstrated by using in vitro experiments with human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. A single MCF-7 cell observed by the use of light sheet microscopy with UV excitation. The cell has been bio-labeled with FA-SrAl₂ 0₄ : Eu²⁺ , Dy³⁺ NPs and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, dihydrochloride for nucleus identification.