Versatile multicolor nanodiamond probes for intracellular imaging and targeted labeling

J Mater Chem B. 2018 May 21;6(19):3078-3084. doi: 10.1039/c8tb00508g. Epub 2018 Apr 26.

Abstract

We report on the sizable production of fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) containing a near infrared (NIR) color center - namely the silicon vacancy (SiV) defect, and their first demonstration inside cells for bio-imaging. We further demonstrate a concept of multi-color bio-imaging using FNDs to investigate intercellular processes using two types of FNDs. Due to their specific spectral properties, SiV FNDs can be distinguished from common nitrogen-vacancy (NV) FNDs and show a distinct initial spreading throughout the cell interior. The reported results are the first demonstration of multi-color labeling with FNDs that are especially interesting for in vivo bio-imaging due to their stable fluorescence.