FRET-like fluorophore-nanoparticle complex for highly specific cancer localization

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2010:662:407-13. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-1241-1_59.

Abstract

Fluorophore mediated bio-signal retrieval has been extensively used in molecular imaging. However, only a limited number of fluorophores can be used for humans and their quantum yield is usually low. Another important issue is emitting fluorescence at the disease site, with a minimal non-specific emission at any other sites. Artificial quenching and enhancing of fluorescence was found to be possible by manipulating the distance between a fluorophore and a certain type of nanometal particle. Utilizing this unique property, we have designed a novel, FRET-like, fluorophore-nanoparticle complex. The complex emits fluorescence conditionally only at a disease site at an enhanced level. As a model system, our complex is designed to target breast cancer. As an initial step for developing this cancer locator, fluorescence alteration was studied when a spacer at various lengths is placed between a nanogold particle and a safe fluorophore.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Carbocyanines / chemistry
  • Colloids
  • Female
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / methods*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*

Substances

  • Carbocyanines
  • Colloids
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Gold