Cellular Thermal Biology Using Fluorescent Nanothermometers

Area of Science:

• Cellular Biology
• Biophysics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Cells possess mechanisms to detect and react to environmental stressors and temperature shifts, exemplified by heat shock responses and thermosensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) channels.
• Recent advancements in nanotechnology have introduced novel fluorescent nanothermometers for precise cellular temperature measurement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate spontaneous temperature fluctuations within single cells using advanced nanothermometry.
• To explore the relationship between intracellular temperature dynamics and cellular organelles and functions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized fluorescent polymeric thermometers and fluorescent nanodiamonds as cutting-edge intracellular thermometry tools.
• Measured real-time temperature changes in single cells cultured in vitro and within tissues.

Main Results:

• Revealed the occurrence of spontaneous spatiotemporal temperature fluctuations within individual cells.
• Demonstrated a correlation between these temperature fluctuations and specific organelles, notably mitochondria.
• Established a link between intracellular temperature dynamics and overall cellular and physiological functions.

Conclusions:

• Intracellular temperature is not static but exhibits dynamic fluctuations.
• These thermal dynamics are closely associated with cellular organelles and physiological processes.
• Advanced nanothermometry provides critical insights into the interplay between cellular temperature and function.