This work reports on the ligand assisted stabilization of Fluospheres® carboxylate modified nanoparticles (FCMNPs), and subsequently investigation on the DNA loading capacity and fluorescence response of the modified particles. The designed fluorescence bioconjugate was characterized with enhanced fluorescence characteristics, good stability and large surface area with high DNA loading efficiency. For comparison purpose, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) with three different length strands were used as cross linkers to modify the particles, and their DNA loading capacity and fluorescence characteristics were investigated. By comparing the performance of the particles, we found that the most improved fluorescence characteristics, enhanced DNA loading and high dispersion stability were obtained, when employing PEG of long spacer arm length. The designed fluorescence bioconjugate was observed to maintain all its characteristics under varying pH over an extended period of time. These types of bioconjugates are in great demand for fluorescence imaging and in vivo fluorescence biomedical application, especially when most of the as synthesized fluorescence particles cannot withstand to varying in vivo physiological conditions with decreases in fluorescence response and DNA loading efficiency.
Keywords: DNA loading efficiency; Dispersion and stability; Fluorescence bioconjugates; Fluorescence particles; Polyethylene glycol crosslinkers.