Work

High Contrast in Vitro and in Vivo Photoluminescence Bioimaging Using Near Infrared to Near Infrared Up-Conversion in Tm3+ and Yb3+ Doped Fluoride Nanophosphors

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: A new approach for photoluminescence imaging in vitro and in vivo has been shown utilizing near infrared to near infrared (NIR-to-NIR) up-conversion in nanophosphors. This NIR-to-NIR up-conversion process provides deeper light penetration into biological specimen and results in high contrast optical imaging due to absence of an autofluorescence background and decreased light scattering. Aqueous dispersible fluoride (NaYF4) nanocrystals (20-30 nm size) co-doped with the rare earth ions, Tm(3+) and Yb(3+), were synthesized and characterized by TEM, XRD, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. In vitro cellular uptake was shown by the PL microscopy visualizing the characteristic emission of Tm(3+) at approximately 800 nm excited with 975 nm. No apparent cytotoxicity was observed. Subsequent animal imaging studies were performed using Balb-c mice injected intravenously with up-converting nanophosphors, demonstrating the high contrast PL imaging in vivo.

Source: Nano Letters

DOI: 10.1021/nl802223f

Authors: Marcin Nyk, Rajiv Kumar, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy, Earl J. Bergey, Paras N. Prasad

Institution: University at Buffalo, State University of New York

Language: English

Topic: Luminescence Properties of Advanced Materials

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Cancer Institute

Awards: Novel Cancer Nanotechnology Platforms for Photodynamic Therapy and Imaging, Application of Nanotechnology in Photodynamic Therapy