Biocompatible magnetofluorescent probes: Luminescent silicon quantum dots coupled with superparamagnetic iron(III) oxide

Folarin Erogbogbo, Ken Tye Yong, Rui Hu, Wing Cheung Law, Hong Ding, Ching Wen Chang, Paras N. Prasad, Mark T. Swihart

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

212 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Luminescent silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) are gaining momentum in bioimaging applications, based on their unique combination of optical properties and biocompatibility. Here, we report the development of a multimodal probe that combines the optical properties of silicon quantum dots with the superparamagnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles to create biocompatible magnetofluorescent nanoprobes. Multiple nanoparticles of each type are coencapsulated within the hydrophobic core of biocompatible phospholipid- polyethyleneglycol (DSPE-PEG) micelles. The size distribution and composition of the magnetofluorescent nanoprobes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Enhanced cellular uptake of these probes in the presence of a magnetic field was demonstrated in vitro. Their luminescence stability in a prostate cancer tumor model microenvironment was demonstrated in vivo. This paves the way for multimodal silicon quantum-dot-based nanoplatforms for a variety of imaging and delivery applications.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5131-5138
Number of pages8
JournalACS Nano
Volume4
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Sept 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • hybrid
  • iron oxide
  • multimodal
  • nanoparticle
  • quantum dots
  • silicon
  • superparamagnetic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Engineering(all)
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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