Abstract
Herein, we report the straightforward synthesis, photoluminescent properties, and cell imaging studies of d-mannose and l-alanine functionalized silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs). Tailoring nanocrystal surface functionalization is essential to interfacing SiNCs with their environment and rendering them stable - surface modification also offers the opportunity to target specific cell types for imaging. A simple and versatile surface modification procedure was developed to tether biomolecules onto the SiNC surfaces and render them water-soluble. The presented approach is precious metal-catalyst free, straightforward, and provides carbohydrate and amino acid functionalized SiNCs. The functionalized SiNCs have been investigated by fluorescence microscopy and our results indicate that they can be internalized by MCF-7 human breast cancer cells as shown in the cell imaging studies. The obtained SiNCs were characterized using FTIR, XPS, PL, and TEM.
Highlights
Luminescent quantum dots (QDs) have been proposed as additional type of materials to uorescent organic dyes for bioimaging applications.[1,2,3,4,5] Photobleaching is among the most important challenges associated with organic dyes and limits long-term in vitro and in vivo bioimaging.[6]
The functionalized silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) have been investigated by fluorescence microscopy and our results indicate that they can be internalized by MCF-7 human breast cancer cells as shown in the cell imaging studies
We report a straightforward synthetic protocol for preparing water-soluble SiNCs functionalized with D-mannose and L-alanine and demonstrate a prototype application of these particles as luminescent imaging agents for the visualization of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells
Summary
Luminescent quantum dots (QDs) have been proposed as additional type of materials to uorescent organic dyes for bioimaging applications.[1,2,3,4,5] Photobleaching is among the most important challenges associated with organic dyes and limits long-term in vitro and in vivo bioimaging.[6]. We report the straightforward synthesis, photoluminescent properties, and cell imaging studies of D-mannose and L-alanine functionalized silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs). 2.5 mL of 1 M aqueous NaOH were added to the alanine methyl ester functionalized SiNCs. The solution was heated to re ux and stirred for 1 hour followed by cooling to room temperature.
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