A novel fluorescent probe: europium complex hybridized T7 phage.
We report on the creation of a novel fluorescent probe of europium-complex hybridized T7 phage. It was made by filling a ligand-displayed T7 ghost phage with a fluorescent europium complex particle. The structure of the hybridized phage, which contains a fluorescent inorganic core surrounded by a ligand-displayed capsid shell, was confirmed by electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), bioassays, and fluorescence spectrometer. More importantly, as a benefit of the phage display technology, the hybridized phage has the capability to integrate an affinity reagent against virtually any target molecules. The approach provides an original method to fluorescently "tag" a bioligand and/or to "biofunctionalize" a fluorophore particle. By using other types of materials such as radioactive or magnetic particles to fill the ghost phage, we envision that the hybridized phages represent a new class of fluorescent, magnetic, or radioprobes for imaging and bioassays and could be used both in vitro and in vivo.
Liu
Chin-Mei
CM
Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA. lhchen@anl.gov
Jin
Qiaoling
Q
Sutton
April
A
Chen
Liaohai
L
D017123:Bacteriophage T7 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005063:Europium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005063:Europium