title: Advanced Characterization Techniques for Nanoparticles for Cancer Research: Applications of SEM and NanoSIMS for Locating Au Nanoparticles in Cells.
abstract: The ability of nano secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) to locate and analyze Raman active gold core nanoparticles (R-AuNPs) in a biological system is compared with the standard analysis using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The same cell with R-AuNPs on and inside the macrophage was analyzed with both techniques to directly compare them. SEM analysis showed a large number of nanoparticles within the cell. Subsequent NanoSIMS analysis showed fewer R-AuNPs with lower spatial resolution. SEM was determined to be superior to NanoSIMS for the analysis of inorganic nanoparticles in complex biological systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Science and Engineering, Stanford University, 496 Lomita Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-4034 U.S.A.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kempen
authors.affiliation: Stanford Nanocharacterization Laboratory, Stanford University, 476 Lomita Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-4035 U.S.A.
authors.forename: Chuck
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hitzman
authors.affiliation: Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Department of Radiology, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5427 U.S.A.
authors.forename: Laura S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Sasportas
authors.affiliation: Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Department of Radiology, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5427 U.S.A.
authors.forename: Sanjiv S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Gambhir
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Science and Engineering, Stanford University, 496 Lomita Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-4034 U.S.A.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sinclair