BSA Au clusters as a probe for enhanced fluorescence detection using multipulse excitation scheme

Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2014;14(13):1139-44. doi: 10.2174/1389201015666140523161038.

Abstract

Although BSA Au clusters fluoresce in red region (λmax: 650 nm), they are of limited use due to low fluorescence quantum yield (~6%). Here we report an enhanced fluorescence imaging application of fluorescent bio-nano probe BSA Au clusters using multipulse excitation scheme. Multipulse excitation takes advantage of long fluorescence lifetime (> 1 µs) of BSA Au clusters and enhances its fluorescence intensity 15 times over short lived cellular auto-fluorescence. Moreover we have also shown that by using time gated detection strategy signal (fluorescence of BSA Au clusters) to noise (auto-fluorescence) ratio can be increased by 30 fold. Thereby with multipulse excitation long lifetime probes can be used to develop biochemical assays and perform optical imaging with zero background.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Fluorescence
  • Fluorescent Dyes*
  • Gold*
  • Humans
  • Nanostructures
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine*
  • Signal-To-Noise Ratio
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine
  • Gold