Label free localization of nanoparticles in live cancer cells using spectroscopic microscopy

Graham L.C. Spicer, Luay Almassalha, Ignacio A. Martinez, Ronald Ellis, John E. Chandler, Scott Gladstein, Di Zhang, The Quyen Nguyen, Seth Feder, Hariharan Subramanian, Roberto De La Rica, Sebastian A. Thompson*, Vadim Backman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have become essential tools used in nanobiotechnology due to their tunable plasmonic properties and low toxicity in biological samples. Among the available approaches for imaging GNPs internalized by cells, hyperspectral techniques stand out due to their ability to simultaneously image and perform spectral analysis of GNPs. Here, we present a study utilizing a recently introduced hyperspectral imaging technique, live-cell PWS, for the imaging, tracking, and spectral analysis of GNPs in live cancer cells. Using principal components analysis, the extracellular or intracellular localization of the GNPs can be determined without the use of exogenous labels. This technique uses wide-field white light, assuring minimal toxicity and suitable signal-to-noise ratio for spectral and temporal resolution of backscattered signal from GNPs and local cellular structures. The application of live-cell PWS introduced here could make a great impact in nanomedicine and nanotechnology by giving new insights into GNP internalization and intracellular trafficking.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)19125-19130
Number of pages6
JournalNanoscale
Volume10
Issue number40
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 28 2018

Funding

S. T. acknowledges a PEER/PECRE Travel Grant from WestCHEM. R. R. acknowledges a Ramon y Cajal Contract from Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Agencia estatal de investigacion, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Conselleria d’Innovacio, Recerca i Turisme, and the European Social Fund. IAM acknowledges funding from the Spanish Government through grants TerMic (FIS2014-52486-R) and Contract (FIS2017-83709-R) and from Juan de la Cierva-f program. GLCS acknowledges funding from NIH RO1 CA173745. This work made use of the EPIC facility of Northwestern University’s NUANCE Center, which has received support from the Soft and Hybrid Nanotechnology Experimental (SHyNE) Resource (NSF ECCS-1542205), the MRSEC program (NSF DMR-1720139) at the Materials Research Center, the International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN), the Keck Foundation, and the State of Illinois, through the IIN.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science

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