An active DNA-based nanoprobe for photoacoustic pH imaging

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Molecular Biology
• Chemical Sensing

Background:

• Accurate pH monitoring is crucial for understanding biological processes.
• The tumor microenvironment exhibits distinct pH variations.
• Existing pH sensing methods have limitations in biological applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel DNA-based nanoprobe for pH detection.
• To utilize photoacoustic (PA) ratiometric analysis for quantitative pH measurements.
• To assess the nanoprobe's performance in physiologically relevant conditions.

Main Methods:

• Design and synthesis of an active DNA construct.
• Implementation of a photoacoustic (PA) ratiometric analysis approach.
• Testing the nanoprobe in tissue-mimicking phantoms across a pH range of 6.8 to 7.8.

Main Results:

• The DNA construct demonstrated distinct PA readouts at varying pH levels.
• Accurate pH measurements were achieved within the physiologically relevant range.
• The nanoprobe showed stability at physiologically relevant sodium concentrations.

Conclusions:

• The developed DNA construct is a viable platform for pH probing.
• Photoacoustic (PA) ratiometric analysis offers a sensitive method for pH sensing.
• This nanoprobe shows potential for in vivo tumor microenvironment pH monitoring.