Fluorescent platinum nanoclusters as correlative light electron microscopy probes

Area of Science:

• Microscopy
• Nanotechnology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Correlative Imaging (CI) integrates multiple imaging modalities to reveal information beyond single techniques.
• Correlative Light Electron Microscopy (CLEM) uses light microscopy (LM) to guide electron microscopy (EM) imaging.
• Accurate registration of fluorescence and electron density signals is crucial but challenging due to probe limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel probe for highly accurate signal registration in CLEM.
• To overcome the spatial mismatch and signal quenching issues associated with conventional CLEM probes.
• To present a protocol for synthesizing and characterizing new fluorescent nanoclusters for CLEM applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of platinum-based fluorescent nanoclusters.
• Characterization of nanocluster properties using various techniques.
• Application of nanoclusters in a correlative light electron microscopy workflow.

Main Results:

• Developed fluorescent nanoclusters with both electron density and fluorescence.
• Achieved highly accurate signal registration between epifluorescence and electron imaging modalities.
• Demonstrated the utility of these nanoclusters in a CLEM setup.

Conclusions:

• Fluorescent nanoclusters offer a superior solution for accurate signal registration in CLEM.
• The developed nanoclusters address key limitations of existing probes, enhancing CLEM efficacy.
• This work provides a new tool for advanced correlative imaging in biological and material sciences.