Etchable SERS nanosensor for accurate pH and hydrogen peroxide sensing in living cells
Lu Bai1, Xiaojie Wang2, Kaifu Zhang1
1Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|October 15, 2019
Summary
A novel strategy uses etchable nanosensors and a non-permeable etchant to differentiate intracellular from extracellular signals. This allows for precise intracellular pH and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensing in living cells.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Distinguishing intracellular from extracellular nanosensors is crucial for accurate cellular analysis.
- Current methods lack the specificity to differentiate nanosensor localization within or on cell membranes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for selectively detecting intracellular surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanosensors.
- To enable accurate intracellular pH and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) measurements using SERS nanosensors.
Main Methods:
- Development of etchable SERS nanosensors.
- Utilizing a non-permeable etchant to remove extracellular signals.
- Employing SERS imaging to differentiate and quantify intracellular nanosensor signals.
Main Results:
- Successfully removed SERS signals from nanosensors bound to the cell outer membrane.
- Enabled clear visualization and quantification of internalized SERS nanosensors.
- Demonstrated accurate intracellular pH and H2O2 sensing using the "turning off" strategy.
Conclusions:
- The proposed "turning off" strategy effectively distinguishes intracellular SERS nanosensors.
- This method provides a reliable approach for intracellular sensing applications.
- Opens new avenues for studying cellular processes with high spatial resolution.
