Surface functionalized red fluorescent dual-metallic Au/Ag nanoclusters for endoplasmic reticulum imaging

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Imaging
• Materials Science

Background:

• Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) imaging is crucial for understanding cellular functions.
• Existing bioimaging techniques face limitations like autofluorescence and photobleaching.
• Developing targeted and stable imaging agents is essential for advanced cellular studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel endoplasmic reticulum-targetable dual-metallic gold-silver nanoclusters (ER-Au/Ag NCs).
• To evaluate the fluorescence properties, photostability, cytotoxicity, and ER-targeting capability of the synthesized nanoclusters.
• To demonstrate the utility of ER-Au/Ag NCs for long-term bioimaging of the ER in living cells.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of dual-metallic gold-silver nanoclusters using a rationally designed molecular ligand.
• Characterization of nanocluster fluorescence emission (622 nm) and quantum yield (5.1%).
• Assessment of photostability, cytotoxicity, and ER-targeting efficacy in cellular models.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared ER-Au/Ag NCs with red-emitting fluorescence, minimizing biological autofluorescence interference.
• Demonstrated high fluorescence quantum yield (5.1%) and superior photostability.
• Confirmed minimal cytotoxicity and effective ER-targeting capability.
• Achieved successful long-term bioimaging of the endoplasmic reticulum in living cells.

Conclusions:

• ER-Au/Ag NCs are efficient, photostable, and minimally cytotoxic imaging agents for the endoplasmic reticulum.
• The developed nanoclusters offer a promising tool for advanced long-term bioimaging of ER dynamics in living cells.
• This work provides a new platform for developing targeted nanoprobes for cellular imaging applications.