Issue 40, 2013

Fluorescence biolabeling using methylated silica nanoparticles containing a lanthanide complex

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.

Graphical abstract: Fluorescence biolabeling using methylated silica nanoparticles containing a lanthanide complex

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 May 2013
Accepted
30 Jul 2013
First published
30 Jul 2013

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2013,1, 5429-5435

Fluorescence biolabeling using methylated silica nanoparticles containing a lanthanide complex

M. C. Gomes, R. Fernandes, Â. Cunha, J. P. Tomé and T. Trindade, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2013, 1, 5429 DOI: 10.1039/C3TB20688B

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