Search

To avoid the unexpected aggregation and reduce the cytotoxicity of nanomaterials as optical probes in cell imaging applications, we propose a programmed DNA-cube as a carrier for silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to construct a specific hydrogen sulfide (H2S) responsive platform (Ag NP@DNA-cube) for diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC) in this study. The DNA-cube maintains good dispersion of Ag NPs while providing excellent biocompatibility. Based on the characteristic overexpression of endogenous H2S in CRC cells, the Ag NPs are etched by H2S within target cells into silver sulfide quantum dots, thereby selectively illuminating the target cells. The Ag NP@DNA-cube exhibits a specific fluorescence response to CRC cells and achieves satisfactory imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aza-BODIPY biotin-based nano-self-assembly has been designed with a biotin receptor for selective NIR turn-on fluorescence activity against cancer cells. The nanostructured aza-BODIPY assemblies exhibit distinctive fluorescence characteristics via an avidin-induced partial disintegration process. The in vitro studies for nanoprobes NSA-DPR1a and NSA-DPR1b showed effective recognition and can discriminate biotin receptor-positive cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF7) compared to non-cancerous cells (MCF10A). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A near-infrared fluorescent probe (IC-V) for detecting viscosity is constructed. The probe has a large Stokes shift (170 nm) and an about 180-fold increase in fluorescence intensity at 700 nm. In addition, IC-V can not only distinguish cancer cells from normal cells, but also monitor viscosity in normal mice and tumor-bearing mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Possessing dual-targeted agents toward the lysosome and cancer cells, a ternary supramolecular assembly was constructed by a morpholine-modified permethyl β-cyclodextrin, sulfonated porphyrin, and folic acid-modified chitosan via multivalent interactions. As compared with free porphyrin, the obtained ternary supramolecular assembly showed promoted photodynamic effect and achieved dual-targeted precise imaging in cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid droplets (LDs) have emerged as a hot target for cancer therapeutics in recent years owing to findings that have shown them to be key organelles involved in maintaining cellular stability and regulating inter-organelle communication through molecular trafficking. LDs emerge from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a form of cellular homeostasis control. We herein report the study of a library of asymmetric squaraines as superior fluorescence probes to track and image LDs in their native state and environment within cancer cells. The probes are highly selective towards LDs and displayed prominent bright fluorescence with just 1 μM probe concentration. They also possess bimodal LD and ER staining capability via the simple diffusion of small lipophilic molecules. The probes almost instantly stained LDs, while the ER staining rate is dependent on the probe's lipophilicity and the incubation duration. These "on-demand" organelle-selective probes are highly desirable tools for revealing the role of LDs in governing many cellular processes, especially in malignant cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a fluorogenic probe BocLys(Ac)-AB-FC targeting both histone deacetylases (HDACs) and cathepsin L , which are overexpressed in spatially separated subcellular organelles of cancer cells. The results show that this fluorogenic probe can be used for selective cancer cell imaging without interference arising from normal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probes combining luminescence and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging activities have attracted tremendous attention since they can offer both molecular and anatomical information to effectively improve the accuracy of detection. In this work, a β-diketone ligand (CDHH) was modified by covalent conjugation with an MRI contrast agent (DO3A–Gd) and a tumor-targetable biomacromolecule transferrin (Tf). When Eu3+ ions were added into the mixture of two functionalized β-diketone ligands, they triggered a self-assembly to form a heteropolymetallic lanthanide complex that was conjugated to Tf. The as-prepared bioconjugate, i.e., Tf–Eu–Gd, exhibited intense long-lived luminescence (φ = 0.20, τ = 0.34 ms), remarkably high MR relaxivities (r1 = 9.18 mM−1 s−1 and r2 = 12.03 mM−1 s−1), as well as good water solubility, stability, and biocompatibility. Time-gated luminescence (TGL) imaging of live cells using Tf–Eu–Gd as a probe demonstrated that the probe can distinguish Tf-receptor-overexpressed cancerous cells, which enables the probe to be specifically accumulated in these cells. On the basis of magnetoluminescent properties of Tf–Eu–Gd, it was further used as a bimodal probe for both TGL and MR imaging of cancerous cells in tumor-bearing nude mice. The results indicated that Tf–Eu–Gd could significantly increase the T1-weighted MRI contrast value in the tumor region, and the TGL imaging of tumor tissue sections provided clear histological validation of the MRI signals. The research outcomes revealed the feasibility of Tf–Eu–Gd for the tracing and precise detection of cancerous cells, which suggested its potential for serving to the clinical diagnosis, therapy, and medical research of tumor diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile chemical route is reported for synthesizing red-emitting photoluminescent/MRI multi-functional KLa(0.95−x)GdxF4:Eu3+ (x = 0 to 0.4) bio-compatible nanomaterials for targeted in vitro tumor imaging. Hexagonal phase pure nanoparticles show a significant and systematic change in morphology with enhanced photoluminescence due to the substitution of La3+ with Gd3+ ions. Single phase β-KLa(0.95−x)GdxF4:Eu3+ exhibits multifunctional properties, both intense red emission and strong paramagnetism for high-contrast bioimaging applications. These silica capped magnetic/luminescent nanoparticles show long-term colloidal stability, optical transparency in water, strong red emission, and low cytotoxicity. The cellular uptake of coated nanoparticles was investigated in liver cancer cell line Huh-7. Our findings suggest that these nanoparticles can serve as highly luminescent imaging probes for in vitro applications with potential for in vivo and live cell imaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of fluorescent molecular rotors, acridinium benzoates (Acr-A,B,C,D), were designed for ratiometrically monitoring cellular viscosity. High sensitivity to viscosity was observed in probe Acr-A with an insignificant steric effect in the acridinium nitrogen. Acr-A was employed to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells and track the dynamics of viscosity during cellular apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is the most incurable pernicious disease to date after cardiovascular disease with an immeasurable rate of mortality. However, effective cancer medication and therapy are still castles in the sky to researchers. Therefore, in search of an appropriate strategy to annihilate cancer, we have designed a set of Ir(III)–Cp* dipyridophenazine complexes as luminescent anticancer agents combining the cancer inhibiting potency of the planar dipyridophenazine (dppz) moiety through DNA interaction and mitochondrial dysfunction with the wonderful photoluminescence ability and target specificity of iridium metal. Hence, with the synergy of these dual aspects in the same system, we have aspired to emphasize the theranostic approach of cancer treatment in the present study by preparing effective, aqueous-soluble, mitochondria-targeting, highly cytoselective, luminescent, cancer cell-permeable scaffolds, enabling diagnosis as well as the healing of cancer cells in the body. Here, the presence of the cyclopentadienyl (Cp*) moiety in association with the fluorine group has boosted the lipophilic character of the complexes. Also, the cytotoxicity screening of the prepared Cp*Ir(III)-dipyridophenazine complexes (IrL1–IrL7) against colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) and human epitheloid cervix carcinoma cells (HeLa) clearly identified them as potential anticancer agents and imaging studies unveiled their superb cellular imaging properties. Among them, the complex [(η5-Cp*)IrCl(11-fluorodipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine)] (IrL6) achieved the best cytoselectivity. However, the superiority of the anticancer potency of [(η5-Cp*)IrCl(benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine)] (IrL3) was also corroborated by its activity against the most aggressive colorectal carcinoma cell line (HT-29), whereas (η5-Cp*)IrCl(11-(trifluoromethyl)dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (IrL5) came into the limelight as the best theranostic agent as it showed remarkable cytoselectivity as well as significant cellular imaging properties, endowing it with the highest quantum yield value among all the complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For diagnosing and annihilating cancer in the human body, herein, we have adopted a one pot convenient synthetic protocol to synthesize a library of half sandwich Ru(II)-p-cymene-N^N complexes under continuous sonication and isolated their regioisomers by preparative thin layer chromatography followed by justification of stability using DFT. The present work has resulted in a library of ruthenium arene complexes and their isolated regioisomers following environmentally benign green processes and their screening of anticancer activity in terms of cytotoxicity and selectivity against cancer cell lines where [(η6-p-cymene)RuCl{2-(5,6-dichloro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-yl)quinolone}] (11j) has been elicited to be significantly more potent as well as selective in Caco-2 and HeLa cell lines than the normal HEK-293 cell line compared to cisplatin and it has even shown marked cytotoxicity against the more aggressive HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line being capable of producing oxidative stress or arresting the cell cycle. Moreover, these types of Ru(II)–arene complexes exhibited excellent binding efficacy with DNA and the compounds [(η6-p-cymene)RuCl{5-chloro-2-(6-(4-chlorophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazole}]PF6 (8l4), [(η6-p-cymene)Ru-2-(6-(benzofuran-2-yl)pyridin-2-yl)-5-chlorobenzo[d]thiazole (8l9) and [(η6-p-cymene)RuCl{2-(6-nitro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)quinolone}]Cl (11f′) and might be applied for cancer theranostic treatment due to their good fluorescence properties and remarkable potency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of over-expressed nucleolin in the cytoplasm facilitates early cancer diagnosis. Herein, we present a novel biosensing nanoscaffold based on anti-nucleolin aptamers and polymer-grafted graphene oxides for the fluorescent imaging of nucleolin in the cell cytoplasm, which can distinguish cancer cells from normal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor nanoparticles with very small sizes of 2–20 nm (quantum dots) are very much attractive for their excellent photoluminescence property. Herein, this study portrays the green synthesis of highly fluorescent, water-soluble, semiconducting CdSe quantum dots (CdSe QDs) as the most potential cellular imaging tag. The stability of CdSe quantum dots has been achieved by capping with mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as a stabilising agent, and then biotin was attached to quantum dots after surface modification with streptravidin to attain selective cancer cell targeting ability with enhanced conjugation efficiency, which can result in the easy detection of cancer cells growing in our body. The formation of the desired biotin-conjugated highly luminescent CdSe quantum dot has been well justified by photoluminescence (PL), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The cancer cell imaging quality of the biotin-conjugated CdSe QD has been assessed with respect to the Human Epitheloid Cervix Carcinoma (HeLa) cell. Cytotoxicity and cellular imaging results in both cancerous HeLa and normal HEK-293 cells revealed the efficiency of this material as an imaging probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detailed mechanism and the extent of pH/SO2 changes during apoptosis remain unknown. The developed sensor NPCF for SO2 and pH dual detection illustrates that SO2 can reduce the inflammation caused by LPS and the acidification of the environment. The levels of SO2 and pH change during carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP)-induced apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single crystal X-ray structurally characterized amide–imine conjugate (GAN) derived from gallic acid and naphthalene selectively recognizes La3+ ions via TURN ON fluorescence through ESIPT and CHEF mechanisms. GAN can detect as low as 23.93 × 10−9 M La3+ ions and image intracellular La3+ ions in live HeLa and SiHa cells under a fluorescence microscope in a time- and concentration dependent manner. The corresponding [La(III)–GAN] complex is established as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives from o-phenylenediamine and substituted benzaldehydes. Moreover, GAN is very useful for enrichment of La3+ in ethyl acetate medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) has been shown to activate matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) that leads to the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Overexpressed uPA and MMP-2 are regarded as signs of malignant tumors in clinical practice. Therefore, real-time monitoring of the sequential activation of these two signal molecules may have important implications for the evaluation of the invasive potential and tumor progression of breast cancer. However, due to the complicated intracellular environment, visualizing the dynamic changes of protein expression levels in living cells with a noninvasive method is still a great challenge. Here, a novel gold–selenium (Au–Se) fluorescent nanoprobe with excellent selectivity and strong anti-interference capability was designed for the simultaneous in situ imaging of uPA and MMP-2 and real-time monitoring of their changes in living cells. The imaging results demonstrated that the nanoprobe achieved a better prevention of glutathione interference compared to the conventional Au–S nanoprobe, thus it could be applied to actually reflect the expression level of uPA and MMP-2 in different breast cancer cells. Furthermore, the Au–Se nanoprobe could visually present the activation process of the two signal molecules, which play a dual role of insuring the invasiveness evaluation of breast cancer cells. Overall, our work offers a visual biomarker detection method for the judgment of the degree of breast cancer malignancy, and also provides an effective strategy to investigate the relationships among signal molecules of other signaling pathways in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoxaline derivatives play versatile roles in various fields of science. Thus different types of scaffolds have been designed with these quinoxaline moieties to make them more efficient for preparation of various biologically active materials in the pharmaceutical industry. The ability of quinoxaline moieties has been reinforced by introducing triazole rings into them with the aid of a "click reaction" following environmentally friendly green techniques in the presence of a Cu(II) catalyst as well as in the presence of a CuO nanomaterial under microwave irradiation. The novelty of our work is being highly focussed on the introduction of unsymmetrical triazole rings with the isolation of mono triazolyl quinoxaline derivatives using an Ir(I) catalyst in aqueous medium and on the capability of the CuO nanomaterial in catalyzing a "click reaction" in various biological media. The role of our synthsized bis(trizolylmethyl)quinoxaline compounds as cytotoxic agents has been confirmed with clear evidence from a DNA and BSA binding study, stability study, viscosity study and MTT assay. Due to the detecting ability of live cancer cells, high cellular uptake, biocompatibility and high cytoselectivity of these scaffolds, ultimately compound 6g has been established as a cancer theranostic drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new fluorescent "on–off–on" probe (BIPQ) is designed and developed which selectively binds with Hg2+; its emission intensity is quenched almost 40-fold at 455 nm without interference from other metal cations. On gradual addition of I− to the solution of BIPQ-Hg2+, the emission reverts to its original intensity. The limits of detection of BIPQ for Hg2+ and I− are found to be on the order of 3.12 × 10−9 and 5.48 × 10−8 M, respectively, which shows clearly that BIPQ can sense Hg2+ at a very minute level. DFT and TDDFT studies are conducted with the probe to establish similarity between theoretical and experimental outcomes. Finally, to demonstrate its practical benefit in biological fields, live cell imaging experiments with BIPQ are carried out to detect Hg2+ in human AGS gastric cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid biopsy with circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can aid in cancer detection at early stages and determine whether a certain treatment is effective or not. However, existing CTC techniques focus on one or two aspects of CTC management including sampling, enrichment, enumeration, and treatment selection. This paper reports an integrated capillary microchannel device that allows efficient capturing of CTCs with a wide microchannel, rapid enumeration of captured CTCs with whole slide cell imaging, and in situ drug testing with captured CTCs. Blood is drawn into the microchannel whose height is appropriate to the diameter of cancer cells, while its width is a thousand times larger than the diameter of cancer cells. The inner bottom surface of the microchannel is modified with long chain polymers that have cell adhesive ends to efficiently capture CTCs from blood. With this design, cells including CTCs are forced to move through the polymer coated microchannel, and the chance of cell adhesive ends interacting with specific antigens overexpressed on surfaces of cancer cells is significantly enhanced without a channel blockage issue. Captured CTCs are enumerated with a whole slide imaging platform via dual LED autofocusing technology then exposed to anti-cancer drugs, followed by live/dead assay and fluorescence imaging. Given its straightforward, easy and powerless operation, this device with whole slide imaging will be useful for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and point-of-care treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anticancer mechanism of NO is difficult to study owing to its short lifetime and high reactivity. Thus, a theranostic anticancer NO donor assembled with NO on-demand release abilities, accurate lysosome location capabilities and signal feedback behavior was developed. Profiting from the theranostic properties, the specific mechanism was comprehensively studied. Spectral and cell imaging studies revealed that the as prepared NO donors could release NO in solution or within cancer cells. Fluorescence co-dyeing experiments demonstrated that Mo-Nap-NO entered lysosomes specifically and disrupted them after being triggered by light. Upon irradiation with 460 nm visible light, both the donors demonstrated considerable in vitro anticancer effects. A further mechanistic study showed that after entering the lysosome and being triggered by 460 nm irradiation, NO ruptured the lysosome, resulting in the release of cathepsin D into the cytosol, which activated the caspase3 mediated apoptosis pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein C receptor (PROCR) is a recently discovered transmembrane biomarker for several tissue stem cells and is highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patient-derived xenografts. Herein, to enrich the toolbox for the biochemical evaluation of PROCR, we have developed a peptide-functionalized fluorogenic 2D material based on the self-assembly between a fluorescent peptide probe and thin-layer molybdenum disulfide. The material developed was suitable for the sensitive detection of PROCR recombinant protein in buffer solution and the fluorescence imaging of TNBC cells that express high levels of PROCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a new biofunctionalized nanoplatform based on hyaluronic acid-coated gold-nano-dot-decorated hollow carbon nanospheres (AuHCNs-HA) for microRNA imaging in living cells. Importantly, the HA-coated nanoplatform could be internalized into target cells via CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis. It can be further applied for intracellular miR-21 imaging in CD44-positive colorectal cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carbazole derivative (G) was synthesized as a photosensitizer to complex with cucurbit[8]uril, resulting in a nanocube with emission at 662 nm for lysosome cell imaging. Furthermore, the alkyl chain on G was included by α-cyclodextrine-modified hyaluronic acid for further assembly, affording a system targeted to cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasion of malignant cells into tissue is a critical step in the progression of cancer. While it is increasingly appreciated that cells within a tumor differ in their invasive potential, it remains nearly unknown how these differences relate to cell-to-cell variations in protein expression. Here, we introduce a microfluidic platform that integrates measurements of invasive motility and protein expression for single cells, which we use to scrutinize human glioblastoma tumor-initiating cells (TICs). Our live-cell imaging microdevice is comprised of polyacrylamide microchannels that exhibit tissue-like stiffness and present chemokine gradients along each channel. Due to intrinsic differences in motility, cell subpopulations separate along the channel axis. The separated cells are then lysed in situ and each single-cell lysate is subjected to western blotting in the surrounding polyacrylamide matrix. We observe correlations between motility and Nestin and EphA2 expression. We identify protein–protein correlations within single TICs, which would be obscured with population-based assays. The integration of motility traits with single-cell protein analysis – on the same cell – offers a new means to identify druggable targets of invasive capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a water-soluble, perylenemonoimide (PMI) dye-doped polymer nanoparticle (PNP) with NIR emission for live-cell imaging is demonstrated. The large Stokes-shifted NIR emission is due to confined nanospace-induced aggregation offered by the polymer matrix. Later, folic acid functionalised PNP (PNP–FA) is successfully employed to differentiate folate receptor positive and negative cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid–liquid (L2) microlenses have great potential for various applications in imaging and detection systems. Traditional L2 microlenses are almost two-dimensional (2D) due to the modulation of flow rates in planer chips. Fundamental difficulties in effective application to cell imaging and analysis arise due to the limitations of 2D profiles. Herein, we demonstrate the feasible design of three-dimensional (3D) L2 biconvex lenses to detect flowing cells. Using the auxiliary curved microchannels, a 3D L2 lens is formed using Dean flow. The shape of the 3D biconvex lens and its focal length can be modulated by tuning the flow rates of the liquids. 3D light focusing was successfully achieved and the focal length could be modulated by around 435 μm, from 3554 μm to 3989 μm, in the experiment. The numerical aperture of the 3D L2 lens was also measured and its range was 0.175–0.198. Compared to a traditional objective lens with the same magnification (4×/0.1), the resolution of the 3D L2 biconvex lenses was improved 1.79-fold due to being completely immersed in liquid. Mouse myeloma cells sp2/0 and acute promyelocytic leukemia cells NB4 were imaged in the contrast experiments. The time response of experimental manipulation was about 2.7 ms. This 3D biconvex lens has great application prospects for cell imaging and analysis systems in lab-on-a-chip settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-lapse imaging of biological samples is important for understanding complex (patho)physiological processes. A growing number of point-of-care biomedical assays rely on real-time imaging of flowing or migrating cells. However, the cost and complexity of integrating experimental models simulating physiologically relevant microenvironments with bulky imaging systems that offer sufficient spatiotemporal resolution limit the use of time-lapse assays in research and clinical settings. This paper introduces a compact and affordable lens-free imaging (LFI) device based on the principle of coherent in-line, digital holography for time-lapse cell migration assays. The LFI device combines single-cell resolution (1.2 μm) with a large field of view (6.4 × 4.6 mm2), thus rendering it ideal for high-throughput applications and removing the need for expensive and bulky programmable motorized stages. The set-up is so compact that it can be housed in a standard cell culture incubator, thereby avoiding custom-built stage top incubators. LFI is thoroughly benchmarked against conventional live-cell phase contrast microscopy for random cell motility on two-dimensional (2D) surfaces and confined migration on 1D-microprinted lines and in microchannels using breast adenocarcinoma cells. The quality of the results obtained by the two imaging systems is comparable, and they reveal that cells migrate more efficiently upon increasing confinement. Interestingly, assays of confined migration more readily distinguish the migratory potential of metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells from non-metastatic MCF7 cells relative to traditional 2D migration assays. Altogether, this single-cell migration study establishes LFI as an elegant and useful tool for live-cell imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, fluorescent carbon dots were prepared using vancomycin as a precursor via hydrothermal treatment. The synthesized fluorescent CDs are well dispersed in water and exhibited a quantum yield of 6.47%. The functionalization of an anticancer drug flutamide on the surfaces of CDs endowed them with the ability to act as good candidates for capturing and releasing the flutamide drug in an acidic microenvironment (pH 5.2). The flutamide-loaded CDs were found to be biocompatible towards MCF-7 (human breast cancer) and SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma) cells with the survival rate of 75%. The carbon dots and flutamide-loaded carbon dots were used as fluorescent probes for the imaging of cells and showed good target specific action. The carbon dots showed negligible toxicity to MCF-7 cells. The application of flutamide-coated carbon dots for anticancer drug delivery has also been demonstrated. Therefore, we have evaluated flutamide-loaded carbon dot hybrids as prospective candidates to achieve simultaneous imaging and drug delivery in cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a novel isonicotiamide-based fluorescent “turn-on” chemosensor 1 for the selective detection of Zn2+ and HSO4−. The sensor 1 can detect Zn2+ and HSO4− with a detection limit down to the nanomolar level by forming a complex in 1 : 1 stoichiometry in the presence of other anions and 2 : 1 in presence of cations in aqueous solution. Density functional theory calculations on 1 and the 1-Zn2+/HSO4− complexes are consistent with the experimental results. We have successfully utilized the above cation and anion for the fabrication of INHIBIT molecular logic gates. Furthermore the receptor 1 successfully detected the Zn2+ and HSO4− ions in HeLa cells cultured in Zn2+ and HSO4− enriched medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discovered a new class of nontoxic, highly fluorogenic and biocompatible probe AFN for selective staining of intracellular Lipid Droplets (LDs) in both fixed and live human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) and 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes without any background artifacts. The salient features of the probe are its visible excitation maximum, aqueous compatibility, selectivity and remarkable stability (for more than a week) in live cells, even better than commercially available Nile red. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecularly imprinted nanoparticles were prepared as surface-enhanced Raman scattering tags for the selective imaging of cancer cells and tissues against normal cells and tissues relying on the use of sialic acid-templated imprinting to recognize cancer cells, which are over-expressed with sialic acid at the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel "Turn-On" fluorescent probe, quaternarized 4-pyridinyl-substituted BODIPY dye by incorporating a 5-nitrofuran moiety, was developed and applied for imaging the hypoxic status of tumor cells by the indirect detection of nitroreductase. The design was based on a nitroreductase-catalyzed reduction of the nitrofuran moiety in the presence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) as an electron donor and followed by the 1,6-rearrangement-elimination and the release of free 4-pyridinyl-substituted BODIPY dye 2. This probe displayed desired properties such as high specificity, "Turn-On" fluorescence response with suitable sensitivity, appreciable water solubility and rapid response time (within 5 min). Moreover, as a biocompatible molecule, the probe has been successfully applied for imaging the hypoxic status of tumor cells (e.g. A549 cells) and especially used for real-time determination of nitroreductase produced by Escherichia coli. Therefore, we hope to apply this novel method in the biomedical research fields for the imaging of disease-relevant hypoxia and detection of pathogenic microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, a novel EpCAM aptamer (SYL3C)-DIBO-AF594 fluorescent conjugate was synthesised by bioorthogonal chemistry utilizing a strain promoted alkyne--azide cycloaddition (copper free click) reaction (SPAAC). The ligation efficiency of SPAAC was improved by freeze--thaw cycles. The obtained conjugate showed target specific binding and aided in the imaging of various EpCAM positive cancer cell lines like MCF7, MDAMB453, Weri-RB1 and PC3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel simple and green method was developed to synthesize highly luminescent carbon dots using ascorbic acid as a carbon source in aqueous solution. The as-prepared C-dots showed downconversion and upconversion fluorescence properties. They were applied to imaging of human breast cancer cells and normal human mammary cells, showing low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We synthesized cadmium-free CuInS2–Zn1−xMnxS core–shell quantum dots (QDs) for use in dual-mode optical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques. Manganese content was in the rang of 0.2–2.3% and varies with the amount of Mn2+ content in the reaction. These materials presented a high quantum yield (QY) of 52% in organic solvent. The CuInS2–Zn1−xMnxS nanoparticles were subsequently transferred to the aqueous phase by the aid of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and the QY values in water reached 18%. Relaxivity measurements showed that these materials had a T1 relaxivity (r1) of 7.2 mM−1 s−1 on the 3.0 T scanner, suggesting the possibility of using the nanoparticles as a T1 contrast agent. The nanomaterials for both optical and MR imaging in aqueous solution were applied to cells in culture. These results showed that the QY and manganese concentration in the nanoparticles was sufficient to produce contrast for both modalities at relatively low concentrations of nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a new strategy for evaluating multiple miRNA expressions in cancer cells based on DNA strand-displacement-induced fluorescence enhancement. This assay has the ability to discriminate the target from even single-base mismatched sequences or other miRNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanoparticles are efficiently labelled with a luminescent ruthenium complex, producing 13 and 100 nm diameter, monodisperse red-emissive imaging probes with luminescence lifetimes prolonged over the molecular unit. Single, 100 nm particles are observed in whole cell luminescence imaging which reveals their biomolecular association with chromatin in the nucleus of cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]