Single Biomolecule Imaging by Electrochemiluminescence

J Am Chem Soc. 2021 Nov 3;143(43):17910-17914. doi: 10.1021/jacs.1c06673. Epub 2021 Oct 22.

Abstract

Herein, a single biomolecule is imaged by electrochemiluminescence (ECL) using Ru(bpy)32+-doped silica/Au nanoparticles (RuDSNs/AuNPs) as the ECL nanoemitters. The ECL emission is confined to the local surface of RuDSNs leading to a significant enhancement in the intensity. To prove the concept, a single protein molecule at the electrode is initially visualized using the as-prepared RuDSN/AuNPs nanoemitters. Furthermore, the nanoemitter-labeled antibody is linked at the cellular membrane to image a single membrane protein at one cell, without the interference of current and optical background. The success in single-biomolecule ECL imaging solves the long-lasting task in the ultrasensitive ECL analysis, which should be able to provide more elegant information about the protein in cellular biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry
  • Electrochemical Techniques / methods
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Keratin-19 / chemistry*
  • Luminescence
  • Luminescent Agents / chemistry*
  • Luminescent Measurements / methods
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Proof of Concept Study
  • Ruthenium Compounds / chemistry
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry
  • Single Molecule Imaging / methods*

Substances

  • Coordination Complexes
  • Keratin-19
  • Luminescent Agents
  • Ruthenium Compounds
  • tris(2,2-bipyridine)-ruthenium(II)
  • Gold
  • Silicon Dioxide