Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2025
Compact Quantum Dots for Single-molecule Imaging
Published on: October 9, 2012
Orange-emissive carbon quantum dots for ligand-directed Golgi apparatus-targeting and in vivo imaging
Ying Ying Wei1, Lin Chen2, Xin Zhang2
1Interventional Treatment Department, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China. weiyingying0726@126.com.
Abstract:
The Golgi apparatus is one of the most important organelles in cells. Targeting and monitoring the morphology and structure of the Golgi apparatus are crucial and challenging. Aimed at the cysteine (Cys) receptor on the surface of the Golgi apparatus, ligand-directed carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized for Golgi apparatus-targeting imaging. In order to reduce the interference of tissue self-fluorescence and enhance the tissue penetration depth, orange-emissive levorotatory CQDs (L-CQDs) with Golgi apparatus-targeting ability were synthesized using the strategy of inheriting Cys residues and the inherent conjugated electronic structure of neutral red. They exhibit excitation-dependent, fluorescence stability, rich surface Cys residues, excellent biocompatibility, and low toxicity. As a Golgi apparatus-targeting agent, L-CQDs can quickly enter cells for Golgi apparatus-targeting imaging, and can also penetrate through biological tissue for imaging in vivo. The surface Cys residues of CQDs actively target the Cys receptors on the surface of the Golgi apparatus to achieve Golgi apparatus-targeting imaging.
Insights
Researchers developed novel carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for Golgi apparatus imaging. These L-CQDs target cysteine receptors, offering enhanced imaging with reduced autofluorescence and improved tissue penetration.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biomedical Imaging
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- The Golgi apparatus is a vital organelle, but its targeting and monitoring present significant challenges.
- Existing imaging methods can be limited by tissue autofluorescence and penetration depth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize novel ligand-directed carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for specific Golgi apparatus-targeting imaging.
- To overcome limitations of autofluorescence and enhance imaging penetration depth in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of orange-emissive, levorotatory CQDs (L-CQDs) by inheriting Cys residues and neutral red's conjugated structure.
- Utilizing surface Cys residues on L-CQDs to actively target Cys receptors on the Golgi apparatus.
- Evaluating L-CQDs for cellular uptake, Golgi targeting, in vivo imaging, fluorescence stability, biocompatibility, and toxicity.
Main Results:
- L-CQDs demonstrated excitation-dependent fluorescence, high stability, and abundant surface Cys residues.
- L-CQDs exhibited excellent biocompatibility and low toxicity.
- L-CQDs successfully targeted the Golgi apparatus in cells and penetrated biological tissue for in vivo imaging.
Conclusions:
- Ligand-directed L-CQDs provide an effective strategy for Golgi apparatus-targeting imaging.
- These L-CQDs offer advantages in reducing autofluorescence and enhancing tissue penetration for biomedical applications.
