Improved Surface Functionalization and Characterization of Membrane-Targeted Semiconductor Voltage Nanosensors

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biophysics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing targeted probes for monitoring cellular membrane potential is crucial for understanding cell function.
• Existing voltage-sensing probes often face challenges with specificity and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create novel voltage-sensing nanorods (vsNRs) with enhanced membrane targeting and reliable reporting of membrane potential changes.
• To functionalize Type-II ZnSe/CdS vsNRs with specific biomolecules for improved cellular applications.

Main Methods:

• Functionalization of Type-II ZnSe/CdS vsNRs with α-helical peptides and zwitterionic-decorated lipoic acids (zw-LAs).
• Assessment of membrane targeting efficiency and nonspecific binding.
• Demonstration of quantum yield (QY) modulation in response to membrane potential (MP) changes using vesicles and HEK cells.

Main Results:

• Achieved specific membrane targeting with high loading efficiency and minimal nonspecific binding.
• Observed QY modulation of vsNRs correlating with MP changes.
• Demonstrated ΔF/F of approximately 1% in ensemble measurements.

Conclusions:

• The functionalized vsNRs offer a promising tool for accurate membrane potential sensing.
• The developed nanorods exhibit excellent specificity and sensitivity for biological applications.