Home
Resources
Publications
Fluorescence Biolabeling Using Methylated Silica Nanoparticles Containing a Lanthanide Complex

Fluorescence Biolabeling Using Methylated Silica Nanoparticles Containing a Lanthanide Complex

Maria C Gomes, Rosa Fernandes, Ângela Cunha, João P Tomé, Tito Trindade

J Mater Chem B. 2013 Oct 28;1(40):5429-5435.

PMID: 32261249

Abstract:

This research demonstrates that fluorescent silica nanoparticles containing a lanthanide picolinate complex can be used as optical biolabels by using Candida albicans cells as the model targeting system. As such, new fluorescent biolabels have been prepared by encapsulation of the picolinate terbium(iii) complex K2[Tb2(pic)8]·7H2O (Tbpic) in silica particles through a reverse microemulsion process. The surfaces of the ensuing core-shell nanoparticles were functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and then quaternized with methyl iodide in order to increase their water-stability and promote uptake by the cells. Confocal microscopy experiments demonstrated that in comparison to the non-quaternized analogues, the uptake of the functionalized nanoparticles by Candida albicans was improved. Therefore the methylation of silica surfaces as described here appears to be a more general strategy to improve the uptake of functionalized nano-silica particles by these cells. There is evidence from these studies that in this case the nanoparticles penetrated the cell wall but did not penetrate the nuclear membrane, thus allowing selective cell biolabeling.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP13813406	Terbium(III) iodide		13813-40-6	Price

As a specialist in analytical chemical Products, Alfa Chemistry offers consumers a wealth of raw materials and a full range of technologies and services.

QUICK LINKS

HEADQUARTERS

Tel:

Fax:

Email: