Ultrafast photochemistry produces superbright short-wave infrared dots for low-dose in vivo imaging.

Nature Communications
Harrisson D A SantosDaniel Jaque

Abstract

Optical probes operating in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1,000-1,700 nm), where tissues are highly transparent, have expanded the applicability of fluorescence in the biomedical field. NIR-II fluorescence enables deep-tissue imaging with micrometric resolution in animal models, but is limited by the low brightness of NIR-II probes, which prevents imaging at low excitation intensities and fluorophore concentrations. Here, we present a new generation of probes (Ag2S superdots) derived from chemically synthesized Ag2S dots, on which a protective shell is grown by femtosecond laser irradiation. This shell reduces the structural defects, causing an 80-fold enhancement of the quantum yield. PEGylated Ag2S superdots enable deep-tissue in vivo imaging at low excitation intensities (<10 mW cm-2) and doses (<0.5 mg kg-1), emerging as unrivaled contrast agents for NIR-II preclinical bioimaging. These results establish an approach for developing superbright NIR-II contrast agents based on the synergy between chemical synthesis and ultrafast laser processing.

References

Sep 25, 1998·Science·M BruchezA P Alivisatos
May 29, 2001·Journal of Biomedical Optics·T L Troy, S N Thennadil
Nov 10, 2009·Nature Nanotechnology·Andrew M SmithShuming Nie
May 18, 2011·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Kevin WelsherHongjie Dai
Nov 20, 2012·Nature Medicine·Guosong HongHongjie Dai
Jul 23, 2013·Nature Communications·D J NaczynskiP V Moghe
Aug 6, 2014·Nature Biotechnology·Anna V NaumovaJoseph A Frank
Nov 26, 2015·Nature Materials·Alexander L AntarisHongjie Dai
Sep 1, 2014·Nature Photonics·Guosong HongHongjie Dai
Oct 7, 2016·Advanced Materials·Blanca Del RosalEmma Martín Rodríguez
Oct 4, 2017·The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·Carlo Giansante, Ivan Infante
Nov 10, 2017·Nature Biomedical Engineering·Oliver T BrunsMoungi G Bawendi
Sep 29, 2018·Scientific Reports·Rohan BhavaneAnanth Annapragada
Aug 14, 2019·The Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·Priyanka DasHak Soo Choi
Feb 23, 2020·Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·Jie CaoHuanghao Yang

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 30, 2020·Nature Methods·Jiajia ZhouDayong Jin
Feb 6, 2021·Journal of the American Chemical Society·Hongchao YangQiangbin Wang
Jan 20, 2021·ACS Nano·Erving XimendesRiccardo Marin
Mar 6, 2021·IScience·Christopher T JacksonMarkita P Landry
Jun 13, 2021·Advanced Materials·Caiping DingXiaoyuan Chen
Jun 13, 2021·Advanced Materials·Erving XimendesDaniel Jaque
Dec 9, 2021·Biomedical Materials·Haoying HuangChunyan Li
Jan 21, 2022·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Irene Zabala GutierrezJorge Rubio-Retama

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
irradiating
transmission electron microscopy
X-ray
fluorescence imaging

Software Mentioned

Malvern
Zetasizer

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.