Fluorescent Nanodiamond Silk Fibroin Spheres: Advanced Nanoscale Bioimaging Tool

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Bioimaging

Background:

• High-resolution bioimaging is crucial for understanding cellular processes and has therapeutic applications.
• Fluorescent nanodiamonds (NDs) offer potential for nanoscale bioimaging and tracking.
• Encapsulating NDs within natural biopolymers like silk fibroin (SF) can enhance their biomedical utility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize nanodiamond-silk fibroin (ND-SF) nanospheres.
• To evaluate the optical properties and intracellular mobility of NDs encapsulated in SF.
• To explore the potential of ND-SF spheres for bioimaging and drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of ND incorporated SF nanospheres.
• Structural and optical characterization of the nanospheres.
• In vitro assessment of intracellular mobility of encapsulated NDs compared to bare NDs.

Main Results:

• Photoluminescence of NDs increased upon encapsulation within SF spheres.
• Silk fibroin coating improved the diffusion rate and intracellular mobility of NDs.
• ND-SF spheres demonstrated enhanced optical properties and mobility.

Conclusions:

• ND-SF nanospheres exhibit improved photoluminescence and intracellular mobility.
• These nanospheres are promising for long-term bioimaging and targeted drug delivery.
• The developed ND-SF system offers potential for advanced biomedical applications.