Abstract
Although multifunctional upconversion imaging probes have recently attracted considerable interest in biomedical research, there are currently few methods for stabilizing these luminescent nanoprobes with oligonucleotides in biological systems. Herein, a method to robustly disperse upconversion nanoprobes in physiological buffers based on rational design and synthesis of nanoconjugates comprising hairpin-DNA-modified gold nanoparticles is presented. This approach imparts the upconversion nanoprobes with excellent biocompatibility and circumvents the problem of particle agglomeration. By combining single-band anti-Stokes near-infrared emission and the photothermal effect mediated by the coupling of gold to upconversion nanoparticles, a simple, versatile nanoparticulate system for simultaneous deep-tissue imaging and drug molecule release in vivo is demonstrated.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 1700244 |
Journal | Advanced Materials |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 18 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 10 2017 |
Keywords
- deep tissue imaging
- drug delivery
- hairpin DNA
- surface functionalization
- upconversion nanoprobes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science
- Mechanics of Materials
- Mechanical Engineering