Functionalized Carbon Nano‐onions as Imaging Probes for Cancer Cells

Abstract

Multimodal imaging probes based on carbon nano‐onions (CNOs) have emerged as a platform for bioimaging because of their cell‐penetration properties and minimal systemic toxicity. [1‐3] We have developed a synthetic multi‐functionalisation strategy for the introduction of different functionalities (receptor targeting unit and imaging unit) onto the surface of the CNOs. The modified CNOs display high brightness and photostability in aqueous solutions and their selective and rapid uptake in two different cancer cell lines without significant cytotoxicity is demonstrated. The localization of the functionalized CNOs in late‐endosomes cell compartments is revealed by a correlative approach with confocal and transmission electron microscopy. [4] Understanding the biological response of functionalized CNOs with the capability to target cancer cells and localize the nanoparticles in the cellular environment, will pave the way for the development of a new generation of imaging probes for future biomedical studies.