Nanoplasmonic resonance energy transfer spectroscopic pH imaging

Abstract

Nano plasmonic resonance energy transfer (PRET) spectroscopy is a new sensing technique to study the electronic energy transfer between plasmonic nanoparticles and adsorbed biological/chemical molecules. PRET spectroscopy has been used to detect complex biomolecular activities including conformational change, electron transfer and protein interactions with ultrahigh sensitivity and specificity. Here we demonstrate in vitro and intracellular imaging of pH values using PRET spectroscopy. Potentially submicron spatial resolution and decimal pH sensitivity can be achieved in PRET pH imaging.