Transfection of living HeLa cells with fluorescent poly-cytosine encapsulated Ag nanoclusters.
The fluorescence of silver clusters encapsulated by single stranded oligo-DNA (24 cytosine base pairs, C(24):Ag(n)) was used to monitor the transfection of this new silver/DNA fluorophore inside living HeLa cells. For this, the C(24):Ag(n) molecules were complexed with a commercially available transfection reagent Lipofectamine and the internalization of C(24):Ag(n) was followed with confocal fluorescence microscopy. Bright near-infrared fluorescence was observed from inside the transfected HeLa cells, when exciting with 633 nm excitation, opening up the possibility for the use of these C(24):Ag(n) clusters for biological labelling and imaging of living cells and for monitoring the transfection process with limited harm to the living cells.
Antoku
Yasuko
Y
Department of Chemistry, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium.
Hotta
Jun-ichi
J
Mizuno
Hideaki
H
Dickson
Robert M
RM
Hofkens
Johan
J
Vosch
Tom
T
D002214:Capsules / Q000737:chemistry; D003596:Cytosine / Q000737:chemistry*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D014162:Transfection
D002214:Capsules; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011108:Polymers; D012834:Silver; D003596:Cytosine