Chapter 16 - Pebble Nanosensors for Real Time Intracellular Chemical Imaging

Abstract

This chapter discusses the probes encapsulated by biologically localized embedding (PEBBLE) nanosensors and their application in real-time intracellular imaging. PEBBLE nanosensors are submicron-sized optical sensors designed specifically for minimally invasive analyte monitoring in viable single cells with applications for real-time analysis of drug, toxin, and environmental effects on cell function. PEBBLE nanosensor is a general term that describes a family of matrices and nano-fabrication techniques used to miniaturize many existing optical sensing technologies. The main classes of PEBBLE nano-sensors are based on matrices of cross-linked polyacrylamide, cross-linked decyl methacrylate, and sol-gel silica. These matrices have been used to fabricate sensors for H+ Ca2+, K+, Na+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Cl-, NO2, O2, NO, and glucose that range from 20 nm to 600 nm in size. A host of delivery techniques have been used successfully to deliver PEBBLE nanosensors into mouse oocytes, rat alveolar macrophages, rat C6-glioma, and human neuroblastoma cells.