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Ultrasensitive Ratiometric Fluorescent Nanothermometer with Reverse Signal Changes for Intracellular Temperature
Ke Xue1, Siwei Huang1, Kaiyu Wu1
1Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
Researchers developed a novel ratiometric organic fluorescent nanothermometer for ultrasensitive intracellular temperature mapping. This tool enables precise monitoring of cellular thermal activities, offering new insights into biological processes.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Subcellular temperature sensing is crucial for understanding biological processes.
- Accurate and sensitive intracellular temperature measurement presents a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a ratiometric organic fluorescent nanothermometer for ultrasensitive intracellular temperature mapping.
- To overcome the limitations of current intracellular thermometry techniques.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a nanothermometer using a binary mixture of saturated fatty acids (noneutectic composition).
- Incorporation of red-emissive aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) and green-emissive aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens.
- Utilized a modified nanoprecipitation method for nanothermometer synthesis.
Main Results:
- The nanothermometer exhibits two solid-liquid phase transitions due to the noneutectic composition, broadening the sensing range (25–48 °C).
- Demonstrated ultrasensitive reverse signal changes with maximum relative thermal sensitivities of 63.66% °C⁻¹ (aqueous) and 44.01% °C⁻¹ (intracellular).
- Successfully monitored intracellular temperature variations upon chemical stimulation.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanothermometer is a powerful tool for exploring dynamic cellular thermal activities.
- This technology holds significant promise for unveiling intricate physiological processes at the subcellular level.
