title: Characterization of nanoprobe uptake in single cells: spatial and temporal tracking via SERS labeling and modulation of surface charge.
abstract: A critical aspect for use of nanoprobes in biomedical research and clinical applications involves fundamental spatial and temporal characterization of their uptake and distribution in cells. Raman spectroscopy and two-dimensional Raman imaging were used to identify and locate nanoprobes in single cells using surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection. To study the efficiency of cellular uptake, silver nanoparticles functionalized with three different positive-, negative-, and neutrally charged Raman labels were co-incubated with cell cultures and internalized via normal cellular processes. The surface charge on the nanoparticles was observed to modulate uptake efficiency, demonstrating a dual function of the surface modifications as tracking labels and as modulators of cell uptake. These results indicate that the functionalized nanoparticle construct has potential for sensing and delivery in single living cells and that use of surface-enhanced Raman scattering for tracking and detection is a practical and advantageous alternative to traditional fluorescence methods.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Cell labeling and tracking methods are commonly required in biomedical research. This paper presents specific functionalized nanoparticle constructs with potential for sensing and delivery in single living cells. The use of surface-enhanced Raman scattering enables tracking and detection of these cells as a practical alternative to traditional fluorescence methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Molly K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Gregas
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scaffidi
authors.forename: Hsin-Neng
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tuan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vo-Dinh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D051379:Mice; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D012834:Silver
references.citation: Appl Spectrosc. 2006 Jan;60(1):1-8
references.pmid: 16454901
references.citation: Biophys J. 2003 Jun;84(6):3968-81
references.pmid: 12770902
references.citation: Langmuir. 2006 Sep 12;22(19):8178-85
references.pmid: 16952259
references.citation: Trends Analyt Chem. 2008 May;27(5):394-406
references.pmid: 32287533
references.citation: Anal Chem. 2003 Nov 15;75(22):6196-201
references.pmid: 14616001
references.citation: Phys Rev Lett. 1996 Apr 1;76(14):2444-2447
references.pmid: 10060701
references.citation: Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2009 Aug 1;238(3):280-8
references.pmid: 19379767
references.citation: Small. 2006 Mar;2(3):394-400
references.pmid: 17193058
references.citation: J Vet Sci. 2006 Dec;7(4):321-6
references.pmid: 17106221
references.citation: Nano Lett. 2006 Oct;6(10):2225-31
references.pmid: 17034088
references.citation: Exp Cell Res. 2002 Nov 15;281(1):86-100
references.pmid: 12441132
references.citation: J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2002 Dec;2(6):653-8
references.pmid: 12908430
references.citation: Anal Bioanal Chem. 2009 May;394(1):85-94
references.pmid: 19266187
references.citation: Nano Lett. 2006 Apr;6(4):662-8
references.pmid: 16608261
references.citation: Lancet Oncol. 2006 Aug;7(8):657-67
references.pmid: 16887483
references.citation: Bioconjug Chem. 2004 May-Jun;15(3):482-90
references.pmid: 15149175