Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026
10:42
Infrared Degenerate Four-wave Mixing with Upconversion Detection for Quantitative Gas Sensing
Published on: March 22, 2019
6.6K
Responsive Upconversion Nanoprobe for Background-Free Hypochlorous Acid Detection and Bioimaging.
Run Zhang1, Liuen Liang2, Qingtao Meng3
1Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|December 15, 2018
Summary
A novel ruthenium complex integrated with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) creates a responsive nanoprobe (Ru@UCNPs) for hypochlorous acid (HOCl) detection. This system enables sensitive, background-free imaging and diagnosis in biological systems.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Responsive nanoprobes are crucial for bioassays, bioimaging, and disease diagnosis.
- Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a key biomarker in various biological processes and diseases.
- Existing detection methods for HOCl may suffer from limitations such as background interference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)-based nanoprobe (Ru@UCNPs) for specific sensing and imaging of hypochlorous acid (HOCl).
- To demonstrate the utility of the Ru@UCNPs nanoprobe for background-free detection and visualization of HOCl in biological systems.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Ru@UCNPs by integrating NaYF4:Yb,Tm UCNPs with a HOCl-responsive ruthenium(II) complex (Ru-DNPH).
- Utilizing luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) for an OFF-ON emission switch triggered by HOCl.
- Loading Ru@UCNPs onto test papers for semiquantitative HOCl detection.
- In vitro and in vivo imaging of HOCl in cells and mice.
Main Results:
- The Ru@UCNPs nanoprobe exhibits specific and sensitive detection of HOCl via an OFF-ON luminescence response.
- HOCl detection using Ru@UCNPs on test papers showed no interference from background fluorescence.
- Successful background-free visualization and detection of HOCl in cellular and animal models were achieved.
Conclusions:
- Ru@UCNPs serves as a selective and sensitive nanoprobe for hypochlorous acid detection.
- This platform offers a novel strategy for developing nanoprobes for in situ biomarker detection.
- The Ru@UCNPs nanoprobe shows potential for early disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Related Concept Videos
01:05Difference from Background: Limit of Detection
8.3K
The limit of detection (LOD) is the smallest amount of analyte that can be distinguished from the background noise. The LOD value corresponds to the concentration at which the analyte signal is three times larger than the standard deviation of the blank signal. Below this value, the analyte signal cannot be differentiated from the background noise. It is calculated by dividing the calibration slope by 3 times the standard deviation of the blank signals.
The LOD indicates the presence or absence...
The LOD indicates the presence or absence...
8.3K
03:05Acid Strength and Molecular Structure
33.1K
Binary Acids and Bases
In the absence of any leveling effect, the acid strength of binary compounds of hydrogen with nonmetals (A) increases as the H-A bond strength decreases down a group in the periodic table. For group 17, the order of increasing acidity is HF < HCl < HBr < HI. Likewise, for group 16, the order of increasing acid strength is H2O < H2S < H2Se < H2Te. Across a row in the periodic table, the acid strength of binary hydrogen compounds increases with increasing...
In the absence of any leveling effect, the acid strength of binary compounds of hydrogen with nonmetals (A) increases as the H-A bond strength decreases down a group in the periodic table. For group 17, the order of increasing acidity is HF < HCl < HBr < HI. Likewise, for group 16, the order of increasing acid strength is H2O < H2S < H2Se < H2Te. Across a row in the periodic table, the acid strength of binary hydrogen compounds increases with increasing...
33.1K
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
7.7K
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
7.7K
03:42Amino acids
105.4K
Amino acids are the monomers that comprise proteins. Each amino acid has the same fundamental structure, which consists of a central carbon atom, or the alpha (α) carbon, bonded to an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH), and to a hydrogen atom. Every amino acid also has another atom or group of atoms bonded to the central atom known as the R group. There are 20 common amino acids present in proteins, each with a different R group. Variation in the amino acid sequence is responsible for...
105.4K
03:38Polyprotic Acids
32.0K
Acids are classified by the number of protons per molecule that they can give up in a reaction. Acids such as HCl, HNO3, and HCN that contain one ionizable hydrogen atom in each molecule are called monoprotic acids. Their reactions with water are:
32.0K
03:27Mixtures of Acids
21.8K
The pH of a solution containing an acid can be determined using its acid dissociation constant and its initial concentration. If a solution contains two different acids, then its pH can be determined using one of several methods depending upon the relative strength of the acids and their dissociation constants.
A Mixture of a Strong Acid and a Weak Acid
In a mixture of a strong acid and a weak acid, the strong acid dissociates completely and becomes a source of almost all the hydronium ions...
A Mixture of a Strong Acid and a Weak Acid
In a mixture of a strong acid and a weak acid, the strong acid dissociates completely and becomes a source of almost all the hydronium ions...
21.8K