High-throughput SWCNT NIR-II screening enables cell and in vivo applications

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Optical Sensing

Background:

• Diagnostic sensor development faces delays due to the lack of rapid, high-throughput screening methods.
• Expediting sensor development and clinical translation requires optimized high-throughput screening strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize high-throughput screening parameters for single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-based optical sensors using a near-infrared (NIR-II) plate reader.
• To enhance the speed and precision of screening nanosensors for potential clinical diagnostic applications.

Main Methods:

• Optimized spectroscopy parameters (laser power, excitation wavelength, exposure time, focal height) for SWCNT sensor screening.
• Utilized a NIR-II plate reader with an external probe for in vivo testing.
• Screened fluorescent SWCNTs in a macrophage cell line and within a hydrogel matrix.

Main Results:

• Established optimal parameters for high-throughput screening of SWCNT optical sensors.
• Demonstrated successful screening of SWCNTs within biological contexts (cell line, hydrogel).
• Validated the NIR probe for measuring SWCNT characteristics in live immunocompetent mice.

Conclusions:

• The developed framework enables rapid, high-throughput screening of NIR-II nanosensors.
• This methodology has the potential to significantly accelerate the clinical translation of diagnostic nanosensors.
• The approach is broadly applicable to various near-infrared nanosensor development.