Synthesis and Functionalization of Biodegradable Second Harmonic Generation Nanoprobes for Cell Targeting

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Imaging
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Optical imaging and cell targeting are crucial for cancer detection and treatment.
• Existing inorganic nanoprobes lack biocompatibility and biodegradability.
• Bioharmonophores offer a biocompatible and biodegradable alternative with enhanced optical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a detailed protocol for the synthesis and application of bioharmonophores.
• To demonstrate the utility of bioharmonophores for targeted cancer cell imaging.
• To explore the potential of bioharmonophores as clinical contrast agents.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of biodegradable polymer-encapsulated triphenylalanine peptides (bioharmonophores).
• Functionalization of bioharmonophores with thiol-polyethyleneglycol and targeting peptides via click chemistry.
• Imaging of functionalized bioharmonophores in polyacrylamide gel and within endocytosed cancer cells using two-photon microscopy.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis and characterization of bioharmonophores with strong second harmonic generation (SHG) signals.
• Demonstrated superior optical properties compared to traditional fluorescent probes.
• Achieved targeted imaging of cancer cells using functionalized bioharmonophores.

Conclusions:

• Bioharmonophores are promising biocompatible and biodegradable nanoprobes for high-resolution optical imaging.
• They exhibit excellent optical properties, surpassing existing inorganic SHG nanoprobes.
• Bioharmonophores hold potential for future clinical applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment.